Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CONVOY, v. and n. Sc. usages. [kɔn′vɔɪ Sc., but Cai. and ne.Sc. kɔn′vəi; ′kɔnvɔɪ (n.), kɔn′vɔɪ (v.) (Uls.3)]
I. v.
1. To escort, accompany, conduct (without any idea of armed protection). This sense has now died out in Eng. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1717 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1908) 624-5:
It is enacted, statute and ordained that no person should ryde in convoying any person either from or to the toun, nor spend any money in taverns or other wayes without ane order from the provost. Sc. 1763 Boswell London Jnl. (1950) 228:
He convoyed me up Snow Hill as far as to Cheapside.ne.Sc. 1992 Press and Journal 4 Jul 2:
To "convoy" somebody is so much couthier than "accompany". I still go for a "traivel" rather than a walk. Abd.(D) 1920 C. Murray In the Country Places 2:
The fite-fuskered cat wi' her tail in the air Convoyed him as far as the barn.m.Sc. 1922 J. Buchan Huntingtower viii.:
“I'll convoy ye as far as the Laverfoot herd's,” she announeed.em.Sc. 2000 James Robertson The Fanatic 46:
'I was at the Netherbow Port, inspecting the guard, and now I am on my way to a prayer-meeting. I would be obliged if ye'd convoy me to the Grassmarket.'Lnk. 1919 G. Rae 'Tween Clyde and Tweed 62:
Sae, stoopin' doon, he grupped Tam by the airm, An' syne convoyed him hame — canny an' slow.Uls. (per Uls.3 1929):
But all the little children, Running to stroke his gown, Would leave their play to convoy him from countryside and town.
Hence convoyance, escort (Ags.1 1937).n.Sc. a.1908 T. W. Ogilvie Poems (1911) 85:
And mony anither son o' fame . . . Resolved to bring the New Year hame, And gie the auld convoyance.
2. To carry, transport (Bnff.2, Abd.2, Ags.2 1937).Bnff. c.1700 in J. F. S. Gordon Chrons. of Keith (1880) 40:
Peter Broune knowing that the money wes convoyed of [f], . . . offered the woman [the supposed thief] should be dackered.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 86:
Thither I got my kist convoyed in the course of the afternune.
3. To convey legally.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 262:
The great feck of their gear was made over and convoyed to the Earls of Eglinton.
II. n.
1. The accompanying of someone on his way; company. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 8:
But as they waitit Tam's convoy, Tam seem'd to min' anither ploy.m.Sc. 1917 J. Buchan Poems 42:
Loud Gidden spak; “Weel dune! — The convoy's ower. Here we maun pairt, for I'm for Auchenlour.”
Phrs: (1) Hielan convoy = (3) (Ork., Ags., Per. 1975); (2) Kelso convoy, see Kelso; (3) Scots convoy (see quot.).(1) Rxb. 1875 N. Elliott Nellie Macpherson 141:
Mysie an' me 'ill gie ye a Hielan convoy as far as the march dyke.(3) Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
A Scots convoy, accompanying one to the door, or “o'er the dorestane.” In Abd. it is understood as signifying more than half way home. [In wm.Sc.: accompanying someone home and then being accompanied part of the way back by the friend (Arg.1, Lnk.3, Kcb.1 1937).]
†2. “The company at a marriage that goes to meet the bride” (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.2).
[O.Sc. has convoy, with meanings as above (exeept for v., 3, n., 2), from 1375 (D.O.S.T.).]
