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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sta(y, n.³ Also: staye, stey. [e.m.E. stay(e (c1515), stey (1541), OF estai (1193 in Larousse); Stay v.²] A support, with reference to a. A piece of furniture, etc. b. A garment, also pl. and a pair of stays. c. fig.a. 1595 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 324.
Vortstay 1600 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 768.
To naill tua bandis to the sta of the mariage seatt 1619 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. II 243.
Ane maskin tub ane wirt hogheid tua standis and ane steyb. 1620 Edinb. Test. L 352.
Foure small silk stayis at iiij s. the peice 1621 Maxwell Mem. I 331.
For ane ell of blak ribbeine to be ane stay to ȝour hatt, i d. 1682 Berw. Doc. fol. 1 No. 30.
For a pair of stays to a bairn [8 s.], for lining to the sleves & silk [8 s. 6 d.] 1695 Household Bk. Gr. Baillie 189.
For stays to my Robin 1 lb. 6 s.c. 1567 G. Ball. 212.
Mes is na thing ellis … Bot ane wickit inuentioun, Without authoritie, or stay Of scripture c1590 Fowler II 140/20.
These men … be of sic qualetie … that they neid some stey and some person to leane vnto 1594–5 Cal. Sc. P. XI 512.
[That her Majesty should be their] staye [for the raising of trouble in the land] 1596 Dalr. II 45/25.
Dang doune sa strang a stay, piller, and vphald of the realme c1600 Montg. Suppl. x 16.
I sall die Except ȝe be the onle stay 1684 Hay Fleming Six Saints II 229.
Him who is a husband to the widou, a stay to the orphant, and a hiding place to his people