Sc. and north. dial. [f. next.] A fright; also in to get, take (a) fley. Cf. FLEG sb.1
1804. Tarras, Poems, 70.
I watna bit [but] Ive gotten a fley, | |
I gatna sic anither, | |
Sin Maggie flait the haukit quey, | |
An reeve her o the tether, | |
Yon luckless night! |
1813. D. Anderson, Poems, 80 (Jam.). But bauldly then shook off their flay. Ibid., 121. Timorous fowk tak flay.
1892. Northumbld. Gloss., Flay, a fright.