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.
Quotation dates: 1450-1630
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Roy, Roye, n. Also: rowy; roj(e. [ME and e.m.E. roy (?a1400), OF roi, roy (c1160 and 13th c. in Larousse) = ONF rei, L. rex, reg- a king. Cf. Ray n.2] A sovereign; a prince; a king.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 368 (A).
He bure a lyon … Riche rampand as roye ryke of array c1450-2 Ib. 443.
The roye Robert the Brus 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 2581.
Thair war nane ilis inhabit … Bot with gyantis, nor was na prince nor roy a1500 Golagros and Gawane 225.
The roy with his Round Tabill, richest of ryne c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i 120.
Eduuarde self was callit a roy full ryk a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1418 (Asl.).
King Dauid … Ryngand as roy in gret regalite c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 136/34.
The Bruce … Thow gart as roy cum rydand under croun 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 437.
James the secunde, roye of gret renoun a1568 Bellenden Bannatyne MS 1a/11.
Quhen the greit Octauian Baith erd and seis had had in govirnance With diademe as roy cesarian 1540 Lynd. Sat. 16.
Frome ane nobill and richt redowttit roy 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 63/32.
The ryng of the roy Robert 15.. Clariodus iii 1694.
That he micht of this regioun ring as roy 1567 Satirical Poems iii 78.
O Stewartis stout, … War ȝe not royis in this regioun 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1066.
The Gallick roy … louinglie imbraces Th' imbassadours(2) a1500 Golagros and Gawane 301.
The roy rial raid withoutin resting c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace ix 356. 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 154.
That royall roy, of cheualrie the floure a1570-86 Maitland Maitland Folio MS 446/57.
O royell roy thi realme ay rewile be rycht(b) c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 88b/2.
Precellend prince havand prerogatyue As rowy royall in this regioun to ring
Applied to b. Christ. c. The regent of Scotland.b. 15.. Dunb. App. viii 3.
Jesus … In thé is rissin as rychtous roy 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1573 (Ch.).
The redoutit Roy, The Prince of peace c1550-60 Arundel MS 261/60.
& me convoy Quhair that thou rignis, o ryall royc. 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 334.
At ten houris the haill rojes armie past of Edinburgh to Leith
d. An absolute ruler; a tyrant. c1630 Scot Narr. 162.
The bishop in his owne city … will think himselfe a pettie roy
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"Roy n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/roy_n>
