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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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About this entry:
First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Hed(e)-, Heidles, a. Also: haidles. [ME. heed-, hedles (c 1330), heuedles (13th c.), OE. héafodléas.] Headless.

1. Without the head; deprived of the head, beheaded.(1) 1456 Hay I. 44/9.
The masons fand a hedeles man a1500 Seven S. 924.
Ane hedles body of a man 1513 Doug. ix. vii. 182.
Rhamnetes, fund hedles, pail and ded 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2895.
Quhen thay find my deid body heidles(2) 1513 Doug. vi. xiii. 12.
Ȝon … ȝonkeir That lenys hym apon his hedles sper

b. To gar (one) dance or hap (= hop) heidles, to have beheaded. 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I. 39.
Gar thame daunce heidles, and than ilke guidfellow may gat a lumpe of thair landis 1596 Dalr. II. 9/32.
Mony ane of the cheif nobilitie special rebelis the Bruse gart hap heidles

2. Without a leader or ruler, leaderless. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 7/11.
Setting vp ane peple heidles left of God 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 157.
This realme, … being as it war heidles and maisterles in this tyme 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 108.
Al the ordonnances whilks thir haidles ministers hes maid in thair confusit … assemblees 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æn. i. 302.
A heidles multitude misledde by rage c1650 Spalding I. 172.
He sould not go south, bot byde in this countrie, now left heidles