Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1739, 1815-1834
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WALISE, n. Also wallise, wallies, wullees, ¶wullease, willease. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. valise, a suitcase, saddle bags. See W, letter, 5.
1. As in Eng. (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Phr. a pair of wallees, id. See Pair, n., 3. Also fig., a treasure, a find.Edb. 1739 Caled. Mercury (29 Oct.):
A Pair of Wallees, wherein were contain'd, a Suit of Linnens, a Pair of black Silk Shoes, a Night-cap. . . . Whoever hath found the said Wallees . . . shall have a sufficient Reward.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxii.:
He drew the girths of his saddle, adjusted the walise, and put on the bridle.Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail xxv.:
Ye should reflek on her tocher, the whilk is a wull-ease, that's no to be found at ilka dykeside.Sc. 1834 G. R. Gleig Allan Breck I. v.:
Did ever body see wallees strapped on at sic a gate as that?
2. Transf.: (1) the intestines (Ayr. 1825 Jam., wallies); (2) “pockets in an under-waistcoat” (Id.).
