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

Gle, Glee, Glie, n. [ME. glee, gle, early gleo, OE. gléo, glío. Cf. Glew n.¹ Used only in poetry.] a. Sport, play. b. Mirth, rejoicing, joy; entertainment. (Also in game and gle, angell(is) gle.) c. Melody, music.a. 1375 Barb. i. 90.
Thai trowyt that he … Wald hawe iugyt in lawte; Bot other wayis all ȝheid the gle Ib. xv. 176.
Thai thoucht that all … suld de but ransoune euirilkane. Bot othir wayis the gle is gane ?1438 Alex. i. 2170.
I sall wit how the gle is gane With thame into that great melle Ib. 3089.
Than men mycht se sic gle beginb (1) a1400 Leg. S. vi. 328.
Gyfe ȝe wil parcenaris be Of his grete blys & lestand gle Ib. xxxvi. 404.
Be-cause that he [John] in his modir wambe mad gle c1420 Wynt. ii. 970.
Before the Natywyte, That wes the caus off alle oure gle Ib. v. 1214.
And sa he broucht the saule to gle a1500 Rauf C. 98.
The gude wyfe glaid with the gle to begin a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 216.
With menstralis myrthfully makand thame glee a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 1058.
My gle is gone, renewit is my wo 1531 Bell. Boece I. vii.
Afore this Prince. Quhare he rejosit in his hevinly gleis a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxxv. 22.
Thair is no gle with sic ane gest(b) 1567 G. Ball. 206.
O Jesu! gif thay thocht greit glie To se Goddis word downe smorit 15.. Clar. v. 804.
Then lewch they both and maid ane mirrie glie a1570-86 Maitl. F. lix. 39.
Elding is end of erthlie glie(2) 1375 Barb. xvii. 908.
He, … maid thame fest with gammyn and gle a1500 Rauf C. 953.
The King for thair cumming maid game and gle a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1144.
Gromys of that garisoune maid gamyn and gle a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 795.
All game and gle is gane fra me away 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2848.
Thay … leifit als merylie As of befoir, in alkin game and glie(3) a1400 Leg. S. xxxv. 254.
Quhare scho but end sal be In gret ioy and angel gle ?1438 Alex. i. 652.
Quha for his Lord dois, be sall be Harbreid with angellis gle a1568 Bann. MS. 28 a/5.
With glorius sound of angell glec. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 518.
Thai [the birds] maid a glorius gle amang the grene bewis 15.. Clar. ii. 916.
The menstrellis playit with gle angellicall