Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fray, v. [ME. fray (a 1300), aphetic for Affray v., Effray v.]

1. tr. To alarm, frighten, scare. 1375 Barb. ii. 47.
Ik herd neuir … tell Off man sa hard frayit as wes he c1450-2 Howlat 501.
Thus frayis he the fals folk, trewly to tell it c1475 Wall. viii. 252.
He thoucht to fray the formast or thai ȝeid 1508 Reg. Privy S. I. 241/1.
Divers our liegis … distroys and frays our deir with stalking, rachis, and utherwaiis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6178.
The morne sall I … Skaill all ȝone hoist, and also fray the King 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 281.
That thair is nather heavin nor hell, and that thai ar thingis devysed to fray bairnes 1638 Baillie I. 103.
Only one thing frayes us, the subscription of ane other Covenant

2. intr. To have fear; to be afraid. a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 249.
For dreid thai frayit sair 1535 Stewart 18790.
Thai had no caus to dreid … Nor ȝit to fray 1540 Lynd. Sat. 304 (B).
Men may haif thair plesance, Thairfoir lat no man fray 1603 Philotus xxx.
Ȝe feir, ȝe fray, … As with a spreit possest 1638 Baillie (1775) I. 80.
Thir things make us fray