Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ROY, n.1, v. [rɔi]
I. n. A disease or rot affecting the trunk and heart of fir-trees, esp. larch (Mry., Bnff. 1968). Comb. roy-tree, a tree a ffected in this way.Abd. 1751 Session Papers, Ranken v. Earl of Fife (12 June 1760) 17:
Such Roy-trees as may be rejected by you.Mry. 1863–5 Trans. Highl. Soc. 464:
A fourth form of larch disease is another variety of trunk rot, “in the Highlands termed roy.”
II. v. Only in pa.p. royed, affected with rot (Mry., Bnff. 1968).Abd. 1870 A. Smith New History I. 348:
The old larch trees . . . are often found ‘royed' or affected with heart-rot.Rs. 1885 Trans. Highl. Soc. 146:
Fir and larch (a few of the latter however being royed).
