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 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Wanlas, -les(se, n. [ME and e.m.E. wanlace (Manning), wanlas(e (both c1400), AF wanelace.] a. In hunting: A circuit made by a section of a hunting party in order to intercept the quarry and drive it back; the place appointed for this interception. b. transf.A place of ambush. —a. c1420 Wynt. iii 510.
Brut[us] … quhen that he wes … fyftene yhere eld off case Slwe his fadyr at the wanlas [C. wanlesse, W. wanles] c1420 Wynt. vii 446.
In huntying … Wyth a rekles schot off cas A knycht hym slwe at the wanlas —b. 1456 Hay I 164/30.
Thare is othir sutelteis ynew that men may us to barate thair inymyes as to lay enbuschis … or ȝit ger spy thame, and se quhen thay ar in disaray, and wate thame at the wanlas 1596 Dalr. II 192/16.
Quhen we war gatherit, we waytet thame at the wanles sa that quhen tha intendet to … herrie the harte of Scotland, or tha cam to that parte, tha war forced to gyue backis, with mony greine woundis