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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Moralite(e, Moralitie, n. [ME. moralite(e (Chaucer), moralte, moralitie (15th c.), F. moralité, L. mōrālitas.]

1. a. Ethical wisdom, knowledge of moral science.

b. Moral instruction, moral significance.Common only in Henryson.a., b. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1381 (Bann.).
All thir fabillis … Quhilk in effect, suppois thay fenȝeit be, Ar fuil of prowdens and moralite Ib. 2425 (H).
Ȝit men may find agane moralitie In this sentence Ib. 2203. Id. Orph. 306 (Ch. & M.).
Yit … Doctour Nicholas … Applyis it to gude moralitee, Rycht full of frute and seriositee Id. III. 170/17.
Arestotill for his moralitee [B. for all his grit moralite], Austyn or Ambrose for dyvine scripture Ib. 173/28. 1535 Stewart 20831.
The cheif matres of all moralitie, Historiographe of halie kirk is he

c. plur. Put for the title of St. Gregory the Great's Moralia. — 1456 Hay I. 7/2.
As is recountit be Sanct Gregore the haly doctour in his buke of his moraliteis

2. a. The allegoric application to human conduct of a tale, Scripture, mottoes, etc., the moral (of a fable etc.). a1500 Henr. Fab. 366 (Asl.).
Frendis, heir may ȝe fynd … In this fabill ane gude moralite Ib. 1570 (Bann.). a1538 Abell 94 b.
Nane wrait apone halie writ lik him in letterell expositioun & als in moraliteis 1560 Rolland Seven S. Title.
With ane moralitie efter euerie doctouris tale and siclike efter the Emprice tale a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cv. 37.
Or sum frutfull and gude moralite 1668 Lauder Jrnl. 189.
Pretty mottoes and sayings … stuffed with good moralities, tho somethat pedantick

b. An allegoric story or parable, a fable etc. having a moral. 1494 Loutfut MS. 18 a.
And Ysop sais in his moraliteis at the haris assemblit anys to gider