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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Dale, Dail(l, v. Also: dall, daille. [f. Dale n.² Cf. late ME. and e.m.E. dole.]

1. intr. a. To deal, have to do, with a person or thing. (Cf. Dale n.² 4 b.) a1500 Henr. Robin & M. 39.
In dern with thé bot gif I daill Dowtles I am bot deid a1568 Scott xi. 3.
Thocht ȝe with ȝour ladyis daill, [observe] Ressoun 1567 G. Ball. 26.
The flesche said, … I will in ȝouth with lustis daill a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xiv. 15.
Thow art ane fule gif thow with fulis dalis 1622 Grant Chart. 220.
That they dale not with him in the particuliar of the M^c Intoshes, till first they deale with him to his Maiesteis obedience 1652 Wariston's Diary, etc. 119.
In the mane tyme ye may be dalling uith Dane till ye sall heir from my Lord

b. To deal, act, be occupied. 1605 Edinb. Test. XL. 274 b.
Gif Johnne Stewart … will stik at thais comptis and daill hardlie thairanent, that I and myn stik als preceislie at the discharge of the reuersioun 1605 Stirling Merch. Guild 24.
The den of gild and the merchant cownsell sall ressone and daill concerning the talking off the milnis with the rest of the cownsell 1627 Stirling Royal Lett. I. 229.
Wee think it fitt that you dale that the said Erle wilbe contented to accept of securite in this kind 1698 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 322.
Considering that ane number of papists … are said to be dayling, lodgeing and lurking in and about this burgh

2. tr. or absol. To divide, distribute. (Cf. Daling vbl. n. 1.) 1549 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 270.
It salbe lesum to the said bailȝeis … to eschait and daill the same [breid] to the purale 1552 Corr. M. Lorraine 358.
We dessyirrit them to dail and gif ws wr chois, or cast caivillis 1576 Edinb. Test. IV. 120.
Adam McClonathan … sall devide & daill his landis in maner following a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1706) 269.
He sits above that dails aikers 1685 Corshill Baron-Ct. 170.
The Judge ordaines two of the birlaymen to view the said land and to even and daill the same