Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Esy, Esie, a. Also: eisie, aysy. [ME. esy (14th c.), eesy, eisy, etc., OF. aisié.]

1. At ease; free from trouble. ?1438 Alex. ii. 2583.
The Bauderane mare esy [F. aisié] is Than is Clarus of Inde 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4907.
I pray ȝow … That ȝe wald schaw sum gude exampill to me, Quhairthrow I may … to my self ane esie life prouyde

2. Free from difficulty; requiring little effort. 1456 Hay I. 102/30.
This is it wele esy to knawe that bataill is a thing lefull Ib. II. 132/24.
Ever think on to have gude esy issu of the wame a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1398.
As sleuthfull sottis … To conques hevyne thai tuk bot esy cure 1529 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 123.
To … devise quhar it mycht be maist speidfull and esy to begyne to … waw the said towne 1562 Reg. Morton I. 10.
To oppin sum aysyer way to prowyid ȝour bayrnis … nor be my skayth 1596 Dalr. I. 63/24.
To knawe the rest be thir is als esie as to ken the lione be his taes

3. Readily obtainable; common. c1450-2 Howlat 675.
Cled our with clene clathis, … The esiast was arras

4. Accommodating; moderate; gentle. 1465 Colquhoun Chart. 292.
The said … Lorde Fleming salcum thare, and in esy, frendeful, and gudely wis, … suffir ane assise to pas vpon thir landis 1513 Doug. iii. viii. 45.
Grant our vayage ane esy and reddy wynd Ib. ix. ii. 35.
Turnus … Furth fleand swipperly … Befor the ost, quhilk went bot esy pas 1531 Bell. Boece II. 33.
He went forthwart with his folkis ane esy pais

5. Not burdensome; light. 1531 Bell. Boece II. 355.
He tuk ane esy composition of money for hir mariage 1610 Conv. Burghs II. 300.
Ane sufficient securitie … for pecebell fisching … vpon sick eisie dewteis … as they can agrie