Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†ALLEKAY, ALIKAY, AILICKEY, n. The bridegroom's man.Ags. 1774 C. Keith Farmer's Ha' (1841) liii.:
I trow we'll hae a merry day; And I'm to be the Alikay, At Kirk-town ha'.Ags. 1808 Jam.:
Ailickey. This is the only word used in Ang[us], although in other parts of S[cotland] he who holds this place is called the best man.Ags. 1818 A. Balfour in Edb. Mag. (Nov.) 411/1:
About this time the bride appoints her two bridesmaids, and the bridegroom two male attendants, termed ex officio “allekays.”
