Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1702, 1822, 1892-1915
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†PLOY, n.2, v.
I. n. A legal action, a quarrel, disagreement, argument.Fif. 1702 L. Macbean Kirkcaldy Burgh Rec. (1908) 220:
The Toun Councill and deacons of crafts declairs that the same shall not be any particular persons ploy but that the same shall be a toun's ploy, and promises to adhear therto.Ayr. 1822 Galt Provost xiii.:
On account of some ploy he had with the Dalmailing Session anent a bairn.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 317:
Dat billy got siccan a gluff dat he gaed straight tae the tither ane an' dey settled da ploy atween themsels baith an' hed a foy ower id.
II. v. To go to law; more gen., to contend, fight, quarrel.e.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep Head 203:
Wild Neill an' Mossman ploy an' pair Like Judy and her Punch.Dmf. 1915 J. L. Waugh Betty Grier 16:
This is the first time I ever noticed that there was evidence in Scripture o' oor Saviour havin' been ployin' wi' litigations and in the lawyers' hauns.
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"Ploy n.2, v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ploy_n2_v>
