Definitions

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  • noun Plural form of gillie.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Here, on the 23d of June, 1314, was posted the Scottish army, awaiting the coming of the foe, the camp-followers, cart-drivers, and other useless material of the army being sent back behind a hill, -- afterwards known as the gillies 'or servants' hill, -- that they might be out of the way.

    Historical Tales, Vol. 4 (of 15) The Romance of Reality Charles Morris 1877

  • The English ran ninety miles from Bannockburn, seared by the "gillies" and the baggage-wagons.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 08, No. 48, October, 1861 Various

  • Bruce threw his infantry reserve into the battle, the arrows of the English archers wounded the men-at-arms of their own side, and the remnants of the leading line were tired and disheartened when the final impetus to their rout was given by the historic charge of the "gillies," some thousands of Scottish camp-followers who suddenly emerged from the woods, blowing horns, waving such weapons as they possessed, and holding aloft [v. 03 p. 0355] improvised banners.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 3 "Banks" to "Bassoon" Various

  • The Irish/Scottish gillies were a piece of leather cut in such a way that it drew up around your foot.

    A Brief History of the Shoe « Colleen Anderson 2009

  • Clay said it ... my gillies would get caught up in this thing.

    Useful? You Bet Your R.A.S.S. 2008

  • The narrative is set in 18th century Scotland with "deadly claymores flashing above plaid and tartan," and "clan-cries of the gillies, charging with their chiefs."

    “Living hand to mouth. . .” 2008

  • Oh I mixed the last names simpson menzies and imbert, …but Jutta did know only peters last name not gillies and she thought peter and gilli were married, when she sent the scholar away who came for a private lessons with gilli.

    The English Teaching Theatre – how it nearly never started… « Ken Wilson's Blog 2009

  • Let us back to the camp, and send our gillies for the venison.

    The Fair Maid of Perth 2008

  • He observed that they occasionally watched him with a sharp eye, as if they were jealous of some effort to escape; and once, as he lingered behind at crossing a brook, one of the gillies began to blow the match of his piece, giving him to understand that he would run some risk in case of an attempt to part company.

    A Legend of Montrose 2008

  • “The Princess of Broadswords and Targets, I say,” answered his companion; “for the Lady of Montrose herself could not be more courteously waited upon; she has four Highland maidens, and as many bare-legged gillies, to wait upon her orders.”

    A Legend of Montrose 2008

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