Paisley [key], town (1991 pop. 84,330), Renfrewshire, W Scotland, on the White Cart Water, a stream. It has a thriving textile industry and is an extremely large producer of thread. Other manufactures are boilers, chemicals, and soap; food is processed. Patterned Paisley shawls were famous in the 19th cent. Paisley Priory (1163), later an abbey, holds the tombs of several members of Scottish royalty. It was burned by the English in 1307. The present building dates from the 15th cent.
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