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 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ay-lestand, Ay-lesting, a. Also: ay-lestande, ai-, aye-, al-lestand; ay-lestyng. [Northern ME. ay-lastande (14th c.), ME. ay-lasting, ailastinge.] Everlasting. Chiefly in the phr. greting in God ay-lestand or -lesting (common in 15th c.).(1) 1385 Red Bk. Grandtully I. 138* (tyl al that thir lettrys herys or seys, … gretyng in God ay lestand). 1397 Douglas Chart. 39 (greting in God ay lestand). 1402 Reg. Panmure II. 184 (sendis gretyng in God aylestande). 1453 Maxwell Mem. 173. 1478 Montgomery Mem. 41 (gretyng in Gode ay lestyng).(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 150 (fra ay-lestand ded); xl. 1270 (ai-lestand dampnynge). 1424 Descr. Lanark 282 (conventiovn and ay lestand bande).

b. For ay-lestand, for ever, for all time.1440 Reg. Great S. 60/1 (to be halden in fee and heritage for aylestand); Ib. (I the said landis for aylestand sal defende).