Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STEY, v.2, n.2 Gen.Sc. form of Eng. stay, to support, a prop, in pl. corsets, etc. [stəi]
Sc. usages in combs.: 1. stey-band, (1) a metal strap fixing the stay of a bell to the stock; (2) a cross-bar or rail in a door of vertical planks (Sc. 1825 Jam.); specif. (and prob. more correctly), the wooden or iron bar which can be slotted through the two leaves of a double door to fasten it from the inside (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 268; Abd., Ags., Per., w.Lth., Dmb., Lnk. 1971); (3) “a narrow band of linen brought through the tie of an infant's cap, and fastened to its frock, to prevent the head from being thrown too far back” (Sc. 1825 Jam.); 2. stay-body, a kind of corset for children; 3. stay-slot, a diagonal bar of a hurdle or movable gate. See Slot, n.21. (1) Fif. 1728 E. Henderson Dunfermline (1879) 418:
To staybands to the bells . . . £3.19.6 Sc.(2) Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 199:
The upper-barn door, of two vertical leaves, requires an iron stay-band to fasten it with.Bnff. 1880 J. F. Gordon Chrons. Keith 69:
Unceasing demands were made for “leave oot;” the immemorial signal in some of our local Seminaries being to hold the Stay-band of the door, and sing out “Licet mihi exire.”2. Abd. 1752 Abd. Journal (18 Aug.):
Stays, Jumps and Childrens Stay-bodies.3. Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 70:
The 2 stay-slots are cut with a bend at the bottom.
