Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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PRICE, n., v. Dim. pricie. Sc. usages:

I. n. As in Eng. Phrs.: 1. to be the price o' (someone), of an event or happening: to serve (someone) right, to be just what someone deserves. Gen.Sc.; 2. to speir one's price, of a man: to make overtures of marriage to a woman, to ask for a woman's hand in marriage; 3. twa (three, etc.) prices, twice (three, etc., times) the market or former price. Gen.Sc. See also Monie.1. Sc. 1927 Scots Mag. (April) 4:
Aye. It 'ud be the price o'm.2. Ayr. 1775 Burns O Tibbie! vi.:
The deil a ane wad spier your price, Were ye as poor as I.Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of Lairds ix.:
Poor leddies, they hae lang waited for a man to speer their price.Lnk. 1877 W. M'Hutchison Poems 149:
I ne'er speer'd her price sae, I wasna at faut.Ags. 1895 Caledonia I. 308:
Mary is a by-ordinar fine lass, an' I opine ye micht dae waur than gang an' speir her price yersel'.3. s.Sc. 1836 Wilson's Tales of the Borders III. 78:
His lordship, payin sax prices for his hamely breakfast, set off in great good humour.Edb. 1872 J. Smith Habbie and Madge 59:
There's no an article but ye've to gie twa prices for.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A' things is twae prices or dooble dear in thae times.

II. v., tr. To seek (a woman) in marriage. to woo. Cf. I. 2.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 81:
Ne'er price a weardless wanton elf, That nought but pricks and prins herself.