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 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Play-day, n. Also: playe-, pla-. [Play n. and Day n. Cf. Play n. 10.] a. A day of festivity or one on which a play or pageant was performed. b. A day of recreation or freedom from task-work. c. A holiday, or half-holiday, from school.Usu., written as two words.a., b. 1557–8 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 273.
For ane hors hous quhilk was tynt on the play day 1574 Mill Mediæv. Plays 176.
Strublance … vpone the Sabbothe day, being also the playday and maist confluence of peple convenit thairto 1593 Ib. 255.
The profanatioun of the Saboth be the pladayes of Prestoun and Ormistoun 1603 Moysie 138.
Mononday appoynted a play day [etc.] 1606 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 21.
For aill furnishit be hir to the playeris upoun the play day 1673 Aberd. Council Lett. V. 268.
Wee thought to have consulted this [Saturday] afternoon bot being pairtlie a play day … it is delayed till Mondayc. 1577 Reg. Privy S. VII. 162/2.
A boy of fourtene yeiris of aige … schuittand with the uther bairnis of the scoill on ane play day at the pennystane in thair common playing place at the Blak Freris 1640 Dundonald Par. Rec. 466.
Let everie days lessoun be said before they skaill, both playe dayes and other 1640 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 252.
The magistratis … dischargis the masteris … frome … giving thair scollaris any tyme to play except wpoun the ordinar play dayis 1647 Edinb. B. Rec.VIII. 118.
That in the play dayis the scholleris meitt at twa in the eftirnoone 1649 Elgin Rec. II. 434.
Vntill 4 hours, so it be not a playday, and if a playday at half houre to fyve, and the lessons on playdays to be breiffer Ib. 436.
Playdays only Tuesday and Thursday tuixt tuo and four afternoon and Saturnday tuixt tuo and fywe 1674 Dundee B. Laws 61.
Upon play days the Mr. … go furth with the schollars to the Magdalen Guear (= gair) and after 2 houres play bring them back to the school and exact ane account of ther lessons 1700 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 330.