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 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Scale, n.³ Also: scalle, scaill, skaill. [ME and e.m.E. skale, scale (both Lydgate), L. scāla, Ital. scala.] a. fig. A ladder. b. specif. A scaling-ladder. c. A flight of steps; a stairway. See also Scale-stair(e n.a. 1490 Irland Mir. I 151/27.
Sche is the scaill & leddir betuix the hevin and erd 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 7/23.
Mounting from degree to degree vpon the slipperie and vncertain scale of curiositie, they are at last entised … to seeke to … magieb. 1558-66 Knox I 452.
Preparatioun of scailles [MS scalles] and ledderis was maid for the assault … The scailles war appointed to be maid in Sanct Gelis churchec. 1589–90 Mylne Master Masons 68.
With ane convenient skaill to go to the dowcat and foirwall with ane yet throuche the samin of hewin wark to go to the yard c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. fol. 71.
First ascending from the transe of the old gate by an strait scale of stone to the lower galery and from thence to the higher be an timber scale 1686 Ellon Par. Rec. 145.
The common loft … with entrie by the scale and stair … thereto