A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1500
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Waile, n. (? Reduced f. Will(i)e n. a branch of willow, a willow-wand, a compliant person (= Will(i)e n. b). Cf., however, SND Wyle n.1, an instrument for twisting ropes (ultim. f. Wawill v.) which may suggest a different, perhaps less likely, interpretation.) — a1500 King Hart 735.
Richt sall nocht rest me alway with his rewle Thocht I be quhylum bowsum as ane waile [: begyle, quhyle, syle] I salbe cruikit quhill I mak rewle
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"Waile n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/waile>
