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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Parage, n. Also: parr-. [ME. (a 1300), late ME. (Caxton) and e.m.E. (1528) parage, OF. parage parity of rank, also, noble lineage.]

1. (Noble) lineage or descent, (high) rank.Chiefly, of persons, in the phr. (of) hie parage. Once, of rewards, = of high value.(1) 1456 Hay II. 41/1.
Suld nane be ressavit … bot nobleis of parage c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 4285.
And coimptit bot as ane … page He was sa litill of stature and parage a1500 Sir Eger 255.
It seem'd to me by her parrage, She was a lady of great linage 1494 Loutfut MS. 122 a.
He sal inquer at him gif he be of parage for the buk of cheualry(2) 1375 Barb. i. 102.
That thai that war off hey parage Suld ryn on fute as rebaldaill Ib. 276 (Wynt.).
Parrage a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 83. 1456 Hay II. 37/13.
For hye parage and ancien honour ar the first poyntis of the rute of knychthede a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 284.
Thair gat he nane homage For all his hie parage c1500-c1512 Dunb. vii. 13. 1513 Doug. vii. i. 67.
Cummyn of hie parage c1530-40 Stewart 45474. Maitl. F. lix. 44. — c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1102.
Cumin of sum nobill parage(3) 1513 Doug. iii. vi. 222.
Rych rewardis he gaif of hie parage(4) ?1438 Alex. ii. 1837.
Thay schewit weill at thare parage Was cuming of Troy and of Cartage

2. Equality in rank.Esp., that of the parties in a marriage (cf. Disparage n.). 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 44.
Thou knyttis frendschyp quhar thar beyn na parage 1555 Montgomery Mem. 154.
The said Erles freindis … thinkis the samin [contract] meit of parage, lefull [etc.] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Disparagivm.
Like as parage is called equalitie … swa disparagium is called inequalitie in bluid, honour, dignitie or vtherwaies Ib. s.v. Maritagivm haeredis.
Providing that the party offred [in marriage] be of equal parage

3. A person of equal or suitable rank (sc. to be one's marriage partner). 1571 Grant Chart. 144.
To marie hir with ane honest parage

4. ? Erron. — c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 14367.
Thai was all ȝoung and like all of ane age, Semyng of threttie ȝere be thare parage