A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1583-1600
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Holyglas, Holiglass(e, Holeglas, Howliglass. [e.m.E. Ho(w)leglas (c 1560), Howliglasse (1589), rendering of Germ. Eulenspiegel ‘Owl-glass’, the mediæval joker and jest-book hero.] An Owlglass, a buffoon. — 1583 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. 51.
Now Holyglas, returning hame, To play the sophist thought no schame 1583 Ib. 232.
Howliglass [v.r. Holi-] 1585 in Calderwood IV. 443.
An infamous bellie-god, deboshed bishop and knowne Holiglasse 1596–1600 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II. 419.
Holeglassis
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"Holyglas n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/holyglas>
