A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1503-1606
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Allacay, Allakay, n. Also: allocay, allacy; alakay, allakaye, allakey; allokay, -key; allaquay. [OF. alacays, also laquais (Span. and Port. lacayo), a word of obscure origin. Eng. lackey occurs from 1529.] A footman, running footman, lackey.(a) 1503 Treasurer's Accounts II. 406.
To twa Inglis allocayis, quhen tha passit away, xx Franch crounis 1511 Ib. IV. 262.
To mantande Adam, allocay, ane pair red and blew carsay hois 1566 Ib. XI. 472.
To Johnie de Companȝe, allacay, iiij elnis of reid 1581 Reg. Privy C. III. 416.
The clething of his majesties pageis and allacayes 1583 Lennox Mun. 454.
To Baxter, allacay and porter, ane hundreth lib. 1588 Argyll Lett. 87.
To William Oyt, allacay to the said nobill Ladie, for his ȝeiris fie 1606 Stirling B. Rec. I. 384.
Andrew Killbullie, sumtyme allacay to his Majestie(b) 1537 Treasurer's Accounts VI. 328.
This geir … to be clething to the Kingis grace pageis and allakayis 1537 Ib. 344.
For making of ane doublat to ane allakaye c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 1035.
Thair proud palphrais was grathit incontinent, … At ilk bridill ane proper Alakay 1600 Acts IV. 212/1.
He saw … Walter Cruikschank allakey standing in the ȝaird 1600 Ib. 212/2.
[He saw] the erle of Gowrie enter in … and ane allakey put ane steilbonnet on his heid
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"Allacay n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/allacay>
