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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Dyt(e, Dyit, n.¹ [ME. dyte, dite (a 1325), OF. dit (L. dictum).]

1. A composition, writing, or written work. c1420 Wynt. ix. 1160.
This part … wes noucht my dyte; Tharoff I dare me welle acqwyte c1450-2 Howlat 989.
Thus for ane dow of Dunbar drew I this dyte c1475 Wall. xi. 1431.
All worthi men at redys this rurall dyt, Blaym nocht the buk, set I be wnperfyt a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 716.
In to thare dytis as doctouris can discryf c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxxiii. 21.
Thane had my dyt beine all in duill, Had I my wage wantit quhill Ȝuill 1535 Stewart 14767.
Ane epistill he gart write, And send to Rome, contenand this same dyte 1549 Compl. 68/11.
The quhilk dreyme I sal reherse in this gros dyit c1590 J. Stewart 8/6.
The cunnyngles succes Of this my dyt

2. Manner or style of composition; diction, language. To put in dyte, to put in writing. c1420 Wynt. iv. 3.
Fourme of dyte and fayre spekyng Ib. v. 3582.
Syne ymnys he made in till fayre dyte a1500 Henr. Fab. 13.
Sa dois spring ane morale sweit sentence Out of the subtell dyte of poetry c1475 Wall. v. 540.
He was the man … That fyrst compild in dyt the Latyne buk Off Wallace lyff a1500 Prestis of Peblis 252.
Schir clerk, tak ynk, with pen on paper wryte, And as is said thow dewly put in dyte 1535 Stewart 113.
In sic dyte It wilbe tedious … To reid the thing he can nocht vnderstand 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8344.
I … in my hand ane vther volume tuke, Of lychter dyte, and storyis of the ald 1567 G. Ball. 115.
Thy magnitude I will it put in dyte c1590 J. Stewart 78/190.
Till depaint at lenth thair full plesance My langage laiks all Ciceronian dyt