singing cake
† 1. = singing bread. Obs.
| 1553 Becon Reliques of Rome (1563) 258 A patten with the hoste or singing cake. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 43 He hath..delivered into his handes a chalice with wine and water, also the gilt Patent with a singing Cake. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1102/2 A cat.., with hir fore feet tied togither, and a round peece of paper like a singing cake betwixt them. 1607 R. C[arew] tr. Estienne's World Wond. 342 Vnconsecrated singing cakes (as they terme them). |
† b. Used as a wafer for sealing with. Obs.
| 1582 Munday Eng. Rom. Life 5 These Letters finished, and sealed vp with singing Cake, he delyuered vnto vs. |
2. Sc. A cake given to singers on Hogmanay.
| 1894 ‘H. Haliburton’ (J. L. Robertson) Furth in Field 28 Money was sometimes added to the ordinary gift of ‘singing’ cakes and cheese. 1894 Meldrum Margrédel i. 6, I remember that dining at the Oliphant's crowned the joy of singing-cakes and other delights. |