Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WALISE, n. Also wallise, wallies, wullees, ¶wullease, willease. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. valise, a suitcase, saddle bags. See W, letter, 5.

1. As in Eng. (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Phr. a pair of wallees, id. See Pair, n., 3. Also fig., a treasure, a find.Edb. 1739 Caled. Mercury (29 Oct.):
A Pair of Wallees, wherein were contain'd, a Suit of Linnens, a Pair of black Silk Shoes, a Night-cap. . . . Whoever hath found the said Wallees . . . shall have a sufficient Reward.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxii.:
He drew the girths of his saddle, adjusted the walise, and put on the bridle.Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail xxv.:
Ye should reflek on her tocher, the whilk is a wull-ease, that's no to be found at ilka dykeside.Sc. 1834 G. R. Gleig Allan Breck I. v.:
Did ever body see wallees strapped on at sic a gate as that?

2. Transf.: (1) the intestines (Ayr. 1825 Jam., wallies); (2) “pockets in an under-waistcoat” (Id.).