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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.

Bage, Baige, n. Also: bag, baig. [ME. bage (14th c.), bagge, OF. bage, Anglo-Lat. bagea, bagia, of obscure origin.]

1. A heraldic badge. Also fig.(a) 1551 Hamilton Cat. 197.
As … all men of weir … beiris apon thame thair princis baige … that be that same baige [etc.] 1581 Sat. P. xliv. 208.
Gar paint thair baigis: to Geneue haist vith speid 1622-6 Bisset II. 157/4.
The erlis of Anguse hes in the crist of thair baig … Jamais arreir c1615 Chron. Kings 96.
Thay of France caus mark thair siluer wpone baigis(b) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 32.
The Duke of Norffolk … the principall enemy of the nobilitie of Scotland, as his bage beris witnes 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 158.
Ane vther pensell quhairin wes contenit my lord regentis armes and bage Ib. 330.
Handsenȝie of Scotland, and bag thairof 1581 Burne Disput. 48 b.
In thai officeis, bages, and priuilegis of the Romane preistis 1626 Garden Worthies 130.
That Boars head, bloodie, … that simple onsupplied bage [: aige] 1674 Fraser P. 258.
Four greine velvat cots with tine bages … for footmenfig. 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xl. 231.
For troublis ar the bage thay mon possess 1600-1610 Melvill 323.
His guid-shyr … gave him the bage of baptisme

2. A beggar's badge. 1698 Ann. Banff I. 168.
The magistrats appoynt bages for such poor