Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Stayer, -ar(e, Stair, n. [e.m.E. staier (1591); Stay v.¹] One who stays, in the senses of Stay v.¹ a. One who hinders or prevents. b. ? One who persists or who refuses to be defeated. c. ? A squatter. —a. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 698 (L).
I repent, We saw thame mair nor him; For thai ar the stayar [Wr. stayare, W. stayer] of ws, als weill as hie 1622-6 Bisset I 99/23.
Ȝow quha salbe … contradictouris thairto and rebellis, and ar stayaris of the peax of the King of Scotland —b. 1571 Bann. Trans. 97.
Gif fyre may thare buildingis sacke Or bullat beat them doun They sall nocht faill that end to mack The staires made in this toun —c. 1678 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 264.
Somtym when I should not ken of it, sua that I have not stayers upon the grund quhich I pay rent for