Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Balefire, Baillfire, n. Also: bail, bayl(e, beal(l, beil(l; fyr, fyre, fyer, fyir. [ME. bale fire (rare), f. Bale n.² Cf. OE. bǽl-fýr (poet.).] A large fire; spec. a beacon-fire.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xvi. 474.
I bryne as in a bale fyre c1420 Wynt. iii. 775.
He … gert be maid on a bale fyre Off gret schyddys byrnand schyre(b) c1475 Wall. iv. 718.
Bot thou tell, in bayle fyre sall thou de 1535 Stewart 13696.
All the laif … in to ane bailfyre [thai] brint 1600 Crim. Trials II. 245.
The toune raise in armes, with schutting of muskettis … and baill-fyirs set furthe 1633 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 60.
Baill fyres to be set on be everie man befoir his awin house 1681 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 302.
To put out baill fyres at the heid of ilk clos, at such tymes as they be warned(c) 1515 Treas. A. V. 39.
To mak beill fyris for warnyng to him Ib. 47.
To gar mak beil fyris … for novelteis of the triumph the King of France gat in Lumbardy 1601 Ellon Presb. 33.
Lighting beal fires 1644 Wemyss Corr. 91.
Their was … beall fyers throu all the toune