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

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ray, v. P.t. and p.p. rayit, -ed; p.p. also raid. [ME (c1380) and e.m.E. ray(e.]

1. tr. To draw up in order of battle. = Array v. 1. 1375 Barb. viii 296 (E).
And the formest … rycht sarraly togydder raid … Rycht to the king thar wayis raucht c1475 Wall. iv 681.
The rang in haist thai rayit sone agayne Ib. ix 124.
His fyfty men with outyn langar rest, Wallace gart ray in to thar armour prest Ib. 569.
Thar land ost thai rayit weyll in deid a1603 Anc. Prophecies 22.
The ratches workes them great wanrest Where they are rayed on a lie

2. reflex. To dress or equip (oneself). = Array v. 2. 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. fol. 3a.
Eschew cowatyce … Thairfoir, sone, with sobernes thow ray thé

b. To adorn. = Array v. 3. c1420 Wynt. vii 3375 (C).
He … In all thynge gert be rayit [E. arait, A. arrayit, AuE.² arayet] weil, That langit til it [sc. a church]

3. intr. To void excrement, as in diarrhœa.Cf. e.m.E. ray to dirty or defile (1526), also ray n. diarrhœa in sheep or cattle (1577). 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 15.
The said Kaithrein brocht … ane mutchkin of watter quhilk scho yet in the kow and thaireftir the kow rayed and mendit