A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1553-1669
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Ras, Rais(e, adj. and n.2 Also: rasse, raze. [F. ras, L. rāsus shaven. Cf. Sp., Ital. raso silk, satin or fine serge, Du. ras serge.]
A. adj. Of certain stuffs, esp. velvet: Having the nap cut close.Cf. F. velours ras.For further examples see Bombasie n. 1553 Treasurer's Accounts X 172.
v elnis bombasye rais to lyne this cote 1553 Ib. 192, 193. 1601 Ib. MS 127.
Ane quarter … raze velvote to the neck of the cloik 1601 Criminal Trials II 357.
Ane raise veluet goune furrit 1605 Tailor's Acc. Bk. 35b.
For making ȝour dowblet & breistis of rais velvit vj li. 1613 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 362.
Villouris raze to be cote and breikis. … Broderit passmentis to lay on my villours raze claythis 1627 Brechin Testaments IV 291b.
B. noun. A stuff so cut or prepared; a smooth fabric of silk or worsted. Cf. Rasch(e n.3With raze de Sipris ( = Cyprus) cf. Rasipros, also 17th c. Eng. ras de Cypre (1649 in C. R. Beard). Cf. also F. ras de Milan, a sort of velvet.Also attrib. 1582 Treasurer's Accounts MS 60.
Ane eln … of gray argentie rais de Millane 1621 Edinburgh Testaments LI 140.
Fyve scoir vnces of ras pasmentis at xxx s. the vnce 1623 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 242.
Tua kames for sayes, … ane came for rasses 1667–9 Home Clothing Acc. MS (Earl of Home) 1.
10 ellis of raze de Sipris to lyne vest and tunik
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"Ras adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/ras_adj_n>
