A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1400-1420, 1499-1560
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Layne, Lane, n. [North. ME. layn, lain (Cursor M.), e.m.E. layne: cf. ON. leyni and leynd concealment, and the verb.] Concealment. Only in rhyme in the verse tag but or without(in) layne, without concealment or suppression, in truth.(a) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2695.
Pirrus … Was in loue With fair Hermonia but layne [: Elene] c1420 Wynt. v. 3057 (W).
He wes Sanct Helenys sone, but layne [: Romayne](b) a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 671.
Scho said, Na question is thairat, The King my lord [sc. is the father], withoutin lane [: agane] 1535 Stewart 9686.
Of the Romanis, to say the suith but lane, Sevintie thousand … wes slane 1535 Ib. 32281, 38802, 52941. 1535 Ib. 51235.
Askand at thame without fenȝie or lane To … cum furth on the plane c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 492.
Salomon … sayis so mony sawis, Sa gude, sa sweit. of all wemen but lane [: vane, in plane] c1550 Ib. iii. 760.
Thay thre [women] was of the court venereane, … The fourt I can find ȝit withoutin lane 1560 Id. Seven Sages Prol. 121.
This storie, now following but lane [: constrane, fontane, plane] 1560 Ib. 6850.
Huredome was first in plane, Syne gredynes but lane
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"Layne n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/layne_n>
