Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡STOY, v., n.² [stɔe]

I. v. To walk in a leisurely careless manner, to saunter, stroll (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 184; Bnf., Abd. 1971).Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 48:
Aw like te stoy aboot ma leen.

II. n. A casual leisurely gait (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 184); a stroll, saunter.Gregor:
We took a stoy doon the burn side i' the gloamin.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. ix.:
We took a stoy roon' the toon.