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 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ally, Aly, v. Also: allay. [ME. alie, alye, allye, etc. (c 1300), OF. alier, allier, L. alligāre to bind together. Cf. Allya v.]

1. tr. To unite in alliance. (Chiefly in passive.)c1420 Wynt. iv. 1777 (the Peychtys askyd the Scottis … swa wytht thame till alyid be). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 185/7 (the Grekis with quham thai war allyit); 189/20 (thai allyit thaim with ws). 1513 Doug. iii. i. 33 (our pepil togidder confederat and aly [= allied]). a1578 Pitsc. I. 245/20 (thinkand that he was alyit with Scotland); 246/4 (being allayit with Scotland).

2. intr. To enter into alliance.?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 176 (ȝe askit the prince … tyll dame Ionet Touris till ally). c1515 Asl. MS. I. 301/24 (Sethis generacioun alijt with Caymis). 15.. Clar. i. 1529 (with our linage for to allay).