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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.

Rebald, Ribald, n. and adj. Also: rebauld, -ball, -bell, rebbeld; ribauld, -bal(l, ryba(u)ld, ribbalde, -ell. [North. ME ribold (c1400), rebald (c1440), ME and e.m.E. rybauld (Caxton), ribaulde (1540–1), med. L. ribaldus (12th c. in Latham), MDu. ribald, MLG ribalt, -ald-, OF ribau(l)t, ribaud, rebalt, etc. a debauchee, a camp-follower (esp. in use in Flanders), f. riber to indulge in debauchery, of ulterior Gmc. origin, cf. OHG hriba, MLG rībe a whore. ME also has ribauz (pl., a1240), ribaut, -aud, etc.]There is some formal equivalence, and also possible ambiguity, with Rebel(l n.

A. noun. 1. One of the lowest class of retainers; a camp-follower or soldier of the lowest sort; one of low birth.(a) c1450-2 Howlat 910 (A).
Thus leit he no man his peire Gif ony nech wald him neire He bad tham rebaldis orere c1475 Wall. vii 736.
That rebald [Macfadȝan] … Law born he was and off law simpill blud c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 182/22.
Vertew the court hes done dispyis; Ane rebald to renoun dois ryis 1533 Boece 169.
Thai straik of his [sc. the king's] hede quhilk apoun ane spere be ane rebald to the nixt village was borne Ib. 185b.
His dochteris war deforcit … and defoulit be fidlaris cukis rebaldis and vthir sic vile persouns c1536 Lynd. Compl. Bagsche 74.
I had wirreit blak Makesoun, Wer nocht that rebaldis come and red(b) 1375 Barb. xvi 137 (E).
Weyne ȝe ȝone ribaldis [C. rebaldis] durst assaill Ws … Bot giff thai had suppowaill c1420 Wynt. v 4935, etc.
The kyng … Cled ane rybald [C. ribbalde, W. rebald] in clethyng, Swylk as afferyd till a kyng ?a1648 Polemo-Mid. 96.
Marchavit foras longo ordine turma, Ipsa prior Neberna suis stout facta ribauldis, Roustæam manibus gestans furibunda goulæam

2. A low, base or contemptible fellow; a varlet; ruffian, a rogue.(a) c1475 Wall. iv 719.
Giff thou will help to bryng yon rebell [1570 rebald] doune [etc.] Ib. vi 358. a1500 Colk. Sow i 101.
A rebald a ruffian A murderer of leil men c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 119/31.
Rangat ringis but ony ordour With reird of rebaldis [R. reballis] and of swane 1528 Lynd. Dreme 914.
For quhen thir wolffis … The pure peple but piete doith oppres Than sulde the prencis … cause tha rebauldis [etc.] 1546 Id. Trag. Card. 423.
And suffer no mo rebaldis for to ryng Abufe Christis trew congregatioun 1572 Sempill Sat. P. xxx 24.
Gude George Ruthuen with thay rebalds slane(b) c1475 Wall. vi 426.
Off this regioun I think nocht for to gang Quhill tyme that I sall se that rybald hang 1567 Sat. P. vii 60.
That law and honestie, With sic ribaldis, can not ring in ane land a1568 Bann. MS 14a/5.
In this thair rage Thaye riballis brag and schoir

3. a. A waster; ? a gambler. 1456 Hay I 78/27.
The tane lufis the marchandis and labouraris and the tothir rybauldis and hasardouris a1500 Bk. Chess 1958.
The rebald … In his richt hand sum moneye suld he haf, In his left hand thre dys to playe the laif Ib. 1965.
Thir rebaldis full of prodigalyte

b. A person given up to vice or licentiousness; a fornicator. 1494 Loutfut MS 6a.
Certan rebaldis glotonys be thair per[v]erst will … wald haue … violet the said madenys 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4228 (Bann.).
Curst vnhappy wyvis That … quyetly with rebaldis [Ch. rybalds] makis repair 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1175.
Scho cryit … for schame, … This rude ribald wald reueis me Ib. 10693.
We giue on hir rebald sentence For his … peruerst offence Ib. 1294. c1615 Chron. Kings 31.
Constantius … begowth to hant the boirdallis accumpanyitt off ribbellis

c. A loose woman, a whore.Cf. ME rebald (15th c.), e.m.E. ribalde (Palsgrave), in this sense. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8022.
Scho is … Ane rank rebald, reddy all tymes to ryde Ib. 8167. 1565 Inverness Rec. I 128.
[He] callit hyr blay ribald, missaell lipper hwyr 1572–3 Ib. 224.
[He] callit hir and hir sister … commond theiffis and houris, banneist ribaldis

4. A person who uses scurrilous, indecent or blasphemous language, a traducer or calumniator. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 27.
Ramowd rebald Ib. 32.
Leif thy ryming, rebald, and thy rowis Ib. 401 (M).
Rebbeld 1573 Davidson Sat. P. xl 101.
Rebalds … Quha neuer culd speik gude of godlynes Ib. 234.
Rauing rebalds a1586 Lindsay MS 71.
Janglaris & rybaldis that speik of putanerie

B. adj. a. Of persons: Lecherous or licentious. b. Of writing: Scurrilous.Doug. quot. may be a further instance of A 4 above: cf. Renegat n. (adj.) 3.a. 1490 Irland Mir. I 136/34.
The rebald … man has wone ȝour hert, and his lusty plesaunce ȝoure chastite 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 954.
Ȝone catiue had blasphemit me … ; A laitlie ryme … Compylit hes. … He sall be deid … that rebald [1553 rebell] rennigait c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 155/165.
That rebald rowt [supra He had full mony lowsy harlott Round rynnand him aboute] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8224.
Micht thow na way stancheit thy foull nature With my bodie, and with thy rebald knaif c1650 Spalding II 102.
Thus, this ribald regiment heaped wp sin —b. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 68.
To red thy rebald ryming with a rowt