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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.

Ice, Yce, n. Also: ise, ies, ische; iyce, iys(e, yse, yis. [ME. yce, ice (15th c.), ys(e, iyse, ise, is, OE. is, ON. ís-s.]

1. The substance, ice. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 168.
Ane flasche of felloun flanis, Fedderit with ice 1513 Doug. xii. xii. 114.
As brukkill ice [R. yse] 1596 Dalr. I. 46/19.
To thow the pypes and schokles of yce frosin vpon thame 1611-57 Mure Psalmes cxlvii. 17.
His yce in flakes hee casteth forth

2. The, or a, layer or sheet of ice. 1533 Boece xi. xxi. 452.
The lowch of Forfare, quhare the ise brekand [etc.] 1535 Stewart 39164.
Tha … Wnder the ische syne drownit thair ilkman. … Lang efter syne quhen that the ise wes fawin. [etc.] Id. Maitl. F. lxxxi. 39.
To ryd or ryn our rakleslie, Or aventure to go on yce 1554 Black Bk. Taymouth 125.
Men and wemen myth weyll pas on the ies of Lyon in syndri placis 1564–5 Breadalbane Lett. No. 32.
He is werie ewill at eis throw ane fall he gat on the yis 1658 Lamont Diary 106.
He gatt a fall upon the iyce

3. In figurative and proverbial expressions.(1) 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1050.
Ȝe ar the lamps … To leid them on this sliddrie rone of yce 1571 Sat. P. xxvii. 116.
Be nocht sylitt … , Nor latt thy selff be led vpoun the yce(2) a1568 Scott xxii. 22.
I seik the watter hett In vndir the cauld yce a1605 Montg. Suppl. 201/11.
Gritt foullis … thai ar, That seikis hett watter wnder yse(3) 1596 Dalr. II. 403/2.
Following thair wickednes, quha … in a maner brack the yce to thame c1650 Spalding I. 78.
Our nobles lay quyet whill thay fand occasion to brak the iyss and begin the bargane Ib. 253.
Thrie of the deaconis of craftis … subscrivit to brak the iyse for the rest