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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
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Mete, Meit, Met, Mait, Meat, n.¹ Also: meite, meitt, (meitct), meyt(t; mett(e; maitt, mayt, mat; meate, meatt; meet(e, meett. [ME. and e.m.E. mete, meet, meat, OE. mete.The form mait is appar. chiefly eastern in provenance, north of the Forth.]

1. Food.Also coupled with drink (see also Drink n. 1 b), clathe(s, clathing and clething (see also these words), and fe (also wage) (= wages). See also Mes n.² for several further exampies.Also with defining terms, as bakin mete (see also Bakin ppl. a.) (= baked food, bakery produce), feist-meit (food for a feast, festive fare), and sanct Marnis (= Marnan's) meit, also kechin-, kichin-, pace- (= Easter-), pot-, schort-, swete-, wildmete, for which see the first elements.a. Food, usu. solid food, for consumption by or nourishment of human beings. b. Food available or supplied for consumption, provisions. c. The flesh of animals used for or available as food. Also d. proleptically, produce, as grain or beef etc., while still growing or on the hoof.Of mekill (litill) mete, (of a person) that requires or consumes much (little) food.(1) 1375 Barb. ii. 569.
Quhar gret defaut off mete had thai Ib. 572, vii. 153. a1400 Leg. S. ii. 613.
He tuk mete and confourt had c1420 Bute MS. 174.
[The ship-master] aw to fynde hym syk mete as qwhen he was in the schyp 1456 Hay I. 231/12.
[I never] bare … suerd na knyf bot it war to kerue my mete withe 1475 Reg. Cupar A. I. 202.
The ledar hafand his mete as he wes wont in tyme of ledyng 1500 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 83.
Ilk master … sall pay his wolkly penny to the reparatioun … of oure said altare, and to sustene the preistis mete thereof 1513 Doug. iii. iv. 50.
With thar vyle mowthis infek thai al our mete [: sete] 1533 Boece i. ii. 36.
This pepill vsit in place of mete bot mylk, herbis and vthir sic thingis 1543 Blackfriars Perth 229. 1562-3 Winȝet II. 61/18.
With siklyk men nocht to resaue mete(b) 1375 Barb. iii. 393.
Schyr Nele Cambel befor send he For to get him nawyn and meite [: sete v.] a1500 Henr. Fab. 220 (Asl.).
Till tender meit my stomoke ay is usit Id. Test. Cress. 383. c1475 Wall. vi. 683.
We may get meit off bestiall in this land Ib. xi. 27. a1500 Colk. Sow i. 124. c1515 Asl. MS. I. 169/23. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xvi. 12, xxv. ii, lxxxii. 65. a1538 Abell 2*a.
Abstinens in meit Scottis men kepit lang tyme Ib. 43 b.
Ony thing at sche desirit wyne aill mylk or ony othir meit or licour c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 74.
Frydayis fyue na fische to eit; Bot butter and eggis ar better meit a1540 Freiris Berw. 254. 1551 Acts II. 486/2.
That na lambis be slane … except in nobillis … housis to thair meit 1551 Hamilton Cat. 271.
Quhen ane king … sendis … ony presand of meit 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8533.
Now is past by the skant time of the ȝeir, Meit grew at large, and vittaillis was not deir a1578 Pitsc. I. 116/17.
I beseik ȝour grace that ȝe will tak ane littill meitt to refresche ȝow 1582 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 237. 1592 Acts III. 614/2.
Quhen thai [solan geese] … ar auld and leyne, unhable for ony manis meitt 1594 Misc. Bann. C. III. 170. 1596 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. 327. 1600-1610 Melvill 707.
Quhill our buird was coverit and the meitt put thairon 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 5.
Brothes … quhilk scho … wes makand reddie … to thair meit 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 70. 1608 Glasg. Univ. Mun. III. 521. 1616 Peebles Gleanings 36. 1636 Banff Ann. I. 74.
He sall bring na meit to the croce but skin hyid [etc.] … wncuttit out betuix the schoolderis 1679 Rothesay B. Rec. 368.(c) 1375 Barb. ix. 168 (C).
Quhar thai mycht get Till thame and thairis vittale and met Ib. 333.
Quhill it mycht haf men & met [: set] Ib. iv. 64, x. 121. a1400 Leg. S. i. 87.
[Who] but met hild hym in that halde Ib. iii. 456.
Adame … ete of that forbodine met [: get v.] c1420 Wynt. i. 727. Ib. vii. 694.
To thi modyre now mon thu be Met, thocht wa be me Ib. xviii. 887. c1460 Wisd. Sol. (S.T.S.) 221. 1473 Treas. Acc. I. 71.
To Androu Blindman the Kingis beidman … to by him met 1479–80 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II. 335.
Ten merkis of gude payment yerly and fyve dais met in the oulk c1515 Asl. MS. I. 322/28.
His mouth is full of wormes as met to him 1513 Doug. i. iv. 90. 1560–61 Inverness Rec. I. 53.
The master to haue his days met … togyddyr with his pencion 1566 Sources and Lit. Sc. Law 300.
That Alexander … turnit the caile and met quhilk was sethand in the said pott in ane foule tub 1570 Elgin Rec. I. 122.(d) 1567 Crail B. Ct. MS. 8 July.
Restand avand to my vyf … for his mait and ordener xxix s. iiij d. 1570–1 Elgin Rec. I. 126.
For supporteing the said poore in giffein mait to Sir Thomas Robertsone cheplan 1571 Cal. Sc. P. III. 576. 1575 St. A. Kirk S. 415.
& incontinent thaireftir sche cryit for mait 1581 Acc. Repair Doune in Moray Mun. Box i, No. 300.
For fourte menis mait that led the skailȝe out of the hilend a1585 Maitl. Q. lxix. 42.
Mait land and gold scho gave aboundantlie(e) 1571 Misc. Spald. C. IV. 97.
As vnnaturall childring they raif the mat from the mouthe of thair mother(f) 14.. Acts I. 27/2.
For bying of the lordis mette wyth quham he duellis c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 1990.
Or I ett mette ȝe sall all hingit be a1570-86 Dunb. Maitl. F. cxlvii. 17.
Riche befoir pure spendis ay thair mett [: gett v.] 1538 Treas. Acc. VII. 24.
Gevin to the fleschour to pas on land to Ingland to by fresche mett(g) 1571 Misc. Bann. C. III. 121.
One of the bishopis servandis appoynted to be cator to by my meat —a1578 Pitsc. (see sense 3). —1582 St. A. Baxter Bks. 30. 1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 126.
After that ye haue chewed that meat, letten it over your halse 1596 St. A. Baxter Bks. 60.
It is … ordanit be the advys off the haill breither of craft that na baikhous heireftir ressave … na … brother of craft to baik ony kynd of meat 1613 Highland P. III. 126. 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas iii. 276.
To fairse his belly with so kindly meate 1619 Beale Fife Schools 120.
Meatt 1634 Black Sc. Witches 14.
And ye shall never get your sundays meat to the fore 16.. Row Cupp of Bon-Accord 1 b.
A good minister wald a been content of … humble meat indeed 1660 S. Ronaldshay 31.
Kathareene Mansone … directed hir to tak her meate into her own house with the salt at home 1686 Argaty Baron Ct. 22 May.
That the tennentis sall in all tyme cuming onlie have thair meatt for leading of the saidis peatts(h) 1656 Laing MSS. I. 306.
He will not let himself eat necesar meet, bat is onder a temptation in it and is very ill lik(2) c1420 Wynt. vi. 256.
For he wes off mekill mete 1531 Bell. Boece (M) I. 98/12.
The Romanis … [are] rycht laborious, of iitill mete or sleip(3) 1375 Barb. iii. 361.
Quhar hyr folk war … esyt weill with meyt and drynk a1400 Leg. S. ii. 563.
Bot met na drink c1420 Wynt. v. 3634.
He wes … In mete and drynk off gret mesure Ib. 3915. 1425 Montgomery Mem. II. 9.
He sal hald the said Anny … for twa ȝer in met and drynk a1500 Henr. Fab. 227. Id. Orph. 196. 1478 Acta Aud. 79/1. c1475 Wall. ii. 15. Ib. 155. 1490 Irland Mir. I. 66/1.
The humedite … that js restorit be mete, drink and nurising a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 330. a1500 K. Hart 261. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxiii. 35.
Bot meit, drynk, clais 1512 Treas. Acc. IV. 281. 1513 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 143. 1520 Dumfries B. Ct. in Sc. Ant. I. 40.
That none … resett or give meit and drinke unto the said Janet 1540 Lynd. Sat. 3747.
I dreid full sair we want baith drink and meat [: debait] 1539 Treas. Acc. VII. 256. a1540 Freiris Berw. 292. 1551 Hamilton Cat. 202.
My body is verrai meit and my blud is verrai drink 1561 Edinb. B. Deeds 7.
& sall furneis thame meit, drynk, beddyng and easymentis as efferis a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxxx. 85. 1570 Sat. P. x. 369. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 14. 1588 Crim. Trials I. 167.
Dilatit of the … furnesing of meitt, drink and herberie to M^r Robert Bruce 1592–3 Misc. Spald. C. V. 116. 1596 Dalr. II. 1/12. 1597 Oldcambus Acc. 23.
For mett drynke and fealle for cliping the yowis 1626 Justiciary Cases I. 52.
The necessar fude of meit and drink was haldin fra hir 1636 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 53. 1645 S. Leith Rec. 56. 1672 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS. 24 July.
For lyveliehood such as meat and drink 1674 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 388.
Meett(4) 14.. Burgh Laws c. 89 (A).
He sall fynd him that hym behuffis that is to say met & clath 1537–8 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 213.
For his furnessing of mett and claythis be the space of xxxii wolkis 1557 Rec. Earld. Orkney 108. a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxv. 37. 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Liberatio.
Ane liverie is of meate or cleithes 1620 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 298.
In meitt claithes bed & buerd 1630 Justiciary Cases I. 144.
The devill sould nocht let the said Alex^r want nather meit cleathing nor money(5) a1500 Henr. Fab. 574 (Bann.).
I, but mete or fee Salbe ȝour man and servand for ane ȝeir Ib. 2752.
To swynk or sueit withouttin meit or wage 1481 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 157.
In the denying of mett & wage giffing to the common menstralis of this burgh 1531 Reg. Soltre 105.
The said Jhone … to be sustenit in meit and fee … or ordirwayis to be helpit 1535 Stewart 24101.
For men of weir that wald tak meit and fie 1540 Lynd. Sat. 481 (B).
Thow hes saird beth meit and fee 1542 Lanark B. Rec. 19. 1550 Breadalbane Coll. No. 73.
I sall pay ȝeirlie for his fie … and mett quhen I am in the place … of Glenvrquhay 1572 Perth Hammermen 95.
Become … prenteis … for all the dayis and termes of sevin yeris as prenteis and yeir thaireftir for mait and xxxvii s. money of fie a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxvi. 38.
Now man I the court fle For falt of meit and na fe 1582 St. A. Baxter Bks. 31. 1598–9 Montgomery Mem. 239.
The warkis that thay sall tak vpoune hand, be it in task, meit and fie, or oulklie wage 1608 Conv. Burghs II. 263. 1625 Dunferm. Hammermen 59. 1632 St. A. Baxter Bks. 94. 1706 Crail Squaremen 5.
John Doog is become prentes to his faither Hendry Doog and is to continou for siven yiers and on yeir for met and fie 1707 Conv. Burghs IV. 408.(6) 1512 Household Bk. Jas. IV 1 a.
For iiii peis of bakin mait gret & vi small xii d. Ib. 3 b. 1536 Treas. Acc. VI. 452.
For certane baikin mett a1540 Freiris Berw. 228 (M).
Sche … strowit the hous so clein That no liknes of feist meit micht be sene 15.. Acta Conc. MS. XXIII. 18 in Forbes Kal. 468.
[The tacksman of the rents of Kilwinning is bound] to gif to the pure folkis Sanct Marnis meit

e. pl. Food or foods collectively; varieties or kinds of food; articles of food, ‘dishes’; servings of food; also, provision of food, ‘board’. Also f. sing. A variety or sort of food.Also swete metis, q.v. under swete.e. (1) c1420 Bute MS. 174.
Gyfe he wyl hafe ony delycios metys —c1450-2 Howlat 707 (see Main a. 2 a). — 1456 Hay I. 294/6.
That the first birth had double porcioun of metis that was brocht to the burde Ib. II. 118/32.
For gif a man be hate and dry … and he be fed with hate and dry metis Ib. 118/20, 122/30, 132/17. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1490 (Bann.). c1475 Wall. iii. 315.
He … Maide him gud cheyr of meyttis fresche and fyne 1494 Loutfut MS. 33 b.
And liffit … nocht of outtrageous corporal mettis 1513 Doug. i. iv. 99.
Quhen hungir thus with metis was chasit away Ib. ix. vi. 26.
All sammyn lay thar armour, wyne and metis 1535 Stewart 29348. a1540 Freiris Berw. 218.
Go to the fyre, and the meitis fra it tak 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 147.
To abstene fra metis quhilkis God hes creat Ib. 123. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4514. 1561 Inverness Rec. I. 59.
Biing of the kyddis and lammis and oder mettis that cumis to the mercattis Ib. 60. 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 7.
Eating of fruttis or vder meitctis [sic] quhilkis ar corrupte 1570 Leslie 156.
Thair [they] renewit thair victuellis … with freishe meitts 1578–9 Elgin Rec. I. 154.
That na market be haldin upon Sonday … except maittis c1580-90 Rules of Health.
Keip fra diuersite of meittis at a feiding and content ȝow with a kynd of meit at a repast c1590 Fowler I. 64/167. 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 388.
As thay wha ar tormentit with the het feure … ressaues halsome meates to thair perdition 1600–2 Montrose Treas. Acc.
For ther meatis in Thom Smythis tua sindrye tymes 1611 Dunblane Test. III. 144.
To Alester Voode flescheor for furneissing of fresche meatis to the plaice 1664 Melrose Reg. Rec. II. 99.
[As balance of price of mutton and] meats(2) 1456 Hay I. 188/29.
Nouthir ete thai of oure metis, na drink thai of oure drynkis Ib. 301/23.
Nocht … in delicious metis na drinkis bot in rude bef and bacoun and grete metis Ib. II. 115/32.
All man … has ay nede of metis and drinkis Ib. i. 294/35, II. 55/35, 96/5, 112/20. 1533 Gau 95/19.
Aganis al inordinat … desiris in meittis and drinkkis and slepinge a1540 Freiris Berw. 320.
Quhat drinkis wald ȝe craif Or quhat meitis desyre ȝe for to haif? 1562-3 Winȝet I. 126/19. a1578 Pitsc. I. 336/25.
All maner of meittis, drinkis, deliecattisf. c1460 Consail Vys Man 3248.
Schaip nocht to be his medesynere, To lak the met he lufis dere

g. Food, fodder, provender, of animals. Also plur.Also halk-mete, Hard-met, Hors-met(e. c1420 Wynt. i. 1346.
Bot thair fe Fra fwlth off mete refrenyht be, Thair fwde sall turne thame to peryle c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 538.
His [sc. Bucephalus] mett was put intill him at a vice a1500 Henr. Fab. 62 (Makc.).
A cok … Sekand his meit, quhilk fand a ioly stone Ib. 1002 (Bann.).
Thai … fand the meir at meit in the morning 1498 Reg. Morton II. 253.
He [a horse] haifand siclik meit as ane court horse 1506 Treas. Acc. III. 411.
For the uncostis of the gret hennis that com forth of Flandrez … and for thair met 1513 Doug. iv. ix. 25. 1527 Treas. Acc. V. 325. 1529 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I. 8. 1531 Bell. Boece I. xlv. 1547 Cal. Sc. P. I. 4.
Thay mynd to cum to the Langholm, bot nocht quhil the gars be, at hors wil get meyt 1550 Reg. Cupar A. II. 98.
With mannis meit and horsis meit 1555 Glenartney Doc.
Thai [sc. the deer] will nocht abyde in oure said forest for laik of meit a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xviii. 57.
Hir meit of modeuarts and myce He changed in partridge and in pout 1619 Perth Kirk S. MS. 1 Feb.
To gif hir kow and stirk meit 1620 Grant Chart. 324.
For the lairdis broun hors … in stray and meit 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V. 547.
The cow … was restorit to health againe and did eat her meat weill eneughplur. 1609 Dunferm. B. Rec. II. 56.
In calling and waitting upoun thame [sc. the cattle] to thair meats and pasture

h. In various fig. and allusive contexts. i. Proverbially and in proverbs.(Of an adversary or party of adversaries,) to be bot ettin (= eaten) mete for (one), proleptically, to be easy to destroy or overcome. To mak flesch meitt of (someone), to make butchermeat of, ‘to make mince-meat of’, ‘to murder’. (Of a matter under discussion or the like,) to be chewit meit, to have been thoroughly discussed, arranged and settled beforehand.To be like one's meat, as in the mod. dial., to have a plump, well-fed appearance.Also in proverbs in antithesis to mense: see Mens(e n. b.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 140 (Makc.).
To mannis saul it is eternall meit a1508 Kennedy Pass. Christ 144. 1533 Gau 4/8.
Or quhay that redis Sancti Erasmis … thay sal get meit and drink aneuth ?1661-5 M. Bruce Soul-Confirmation (1709) 20.
I take a 20 years old experience … and I will sit down and take a meal of meat of it(2) a1500 Henr. III. 135/38.
Cum with me [sc. Death] and try Edderis, askis, wirmes meit to be c1490 Porteous Noblenes 173/22.
All estait deis and tornis to corrupcoun, filth and meit of wormes a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxxxiv. 37.
Bot wormes meit(3) a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 895.
Quhen he saw thaim … That he wend bestis met had bene c1420 Wynt. vii. 3462.
Gentill men On the feld dede lyand thene … To be gleddys or hwndys mete [: foryhet](4) c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 3399.
Thai blew thare buglis … With sic ane fere … And sic a pompe quhan thai passit fra the ȝett Than tocht thai war for thame bott etin mete 1600-1610 Melvill 716.
To quhom the Bisschope had promisit that all sould be chewit meit againes thair cuming. To quhom, quhen they saw the constant … oppositioun, the Lord of Halirudhous said, ‘Bisschope’, said he, ‘is this your chewit meit? Me thinkis that ye and we boith ar lyk to wirrie on it’ 1629 Linlithgow B. Rec. 14 Aug.
Manassing of Robert Mertoun and awowing to break his heid and mak flesch meitt of him(5) a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 117.
Ane mans meat is another mans poyson Ib. No. 297, No. 390, No. 854. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 163.
A rinning hair is unreadie meate Ib. No. 363.
Better bellie burst nor gude meit spilt Ib. No. 793, No. 853. 1620 Calderwood VII. 424.
I purpose not to scaffe my meete at my cheese, nor am I now to learn at Doctor Lindsay 1679 J. Barclay Descr. Roman Cath. Ch. (1689) 41.
Much (sayes she) get they, but doe little eat. I know not (said I) but they'r like their meat

j. ? Meal for food. k. Grain or meal payable as rent.j. 1625 Urie Baron Ct. 59.
All … persones … within the suckin … sall have meit grund to thame at the milne scheilling off thair awin cornes 1650 Brechin Presb. 26.
When they cam to the mill they could nott get meatt of it befor she hade som thereofk. 1662 Argyll Rentals II.
Aros moire 120 mks. and the meat of a penny … Let moire 120 mks. and full meat 1686 Cunningham Diary 26.
May. He bestowed 28 lb. worth of labour, and 8 bolls of seed, and 3 firlots labouring meat

2. Food as the means of livelihood; hence standing for: Livelihood, living.Also met and drink, id.(1) 1375 Barb. xix. 174 (E).
With pluch and harow for to get And othyr ser crafftis thair mete a1550 Murning Maiden 93.
I wyn my meit with na sic waithe 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 59.
Quhilkis … ar now thigand thair mete in Ingland 1549 Compl. 135/16.
Mony of ws ar beggand our meit athourt the cuntre c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1090. 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 107.
Quhen thow sal thyg thy mayt, fals smayk a1568 Bann. MS. 93 b/38. 1571 Sat. P. xxvi. 72.
To seirche and seik ȝour meit into the myris 1595 St. A. Kirk S. 811.
For saying to the visitouris, Let thame gang to the kirk that wynnis thair mait in the kirk 1596 Dalr. I. 97/23. 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 215.
The compleaner … is forced to beg his meat out at the yrnehous windowes 1635 Dickson Wr. 56. 1662 Soc. Ant. xxii. 230.
The said Margaret Litster being seeking her meat and selling leiks(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxi. 118.
That scho mycht nocht swynk Na wyne with thame [her hands] met ore drink

3. Food prepared and set or served at table; a set meal.Also Lattermete n. 1375 Barb. v. 388 (C).
[He] fand the met all reddy grathit Vith burdis set and clathis laid a1400 Leg. S. vii. 611. c1450-2 Howlat 711.
Syne at the myddis of the meit in com the menstralis a1500 Seven S. 1532.
That claith and all that mychti mete Halely of the burde come dovne 1513 Doug. v. ii. 118 (see Mulde n.).
The mulde meyt Ib. viii. v. 9.
Ful delicat danteis for the secund mete Thai dres onone a1578 Pitsc. I. 249/5.
Then the wse was and costome at the beginning of meate that he that aught the house and maid the bankit sould say the grace and blise the meateCommon in phrases with preps, as b. (to be set, to sit, etc., to ga, cum, etc.) to or till (the or one's) mete, also on mete, c. (to rise) fra met, d. (to be etc.) at (the or one's) mete.b. (1) a1400 Leg. S. iii. 987.
Syne the lawe in thar degre War to met set ?1438 Alex. ii. 5009. —c1450-2 Howlat 693 (see Mars(c)hal(l v. 2). — 1513 Doug. iii. iv. 30.
To meit we sat with habundans of cheir Ib. i. xi. 13.(2) a1400 Leg. S. xl. 385.
He ymang his brethire al Went to met in the frature ?1438 Alex. ii. 5126. c1420 Wynt. viii. 1485.
Alway quhen scho yhed till mete [: sett] a1500 Henr. Fab. 268 (Asi.).
Withoutin grace thai [the mice] wesche and went to meit 1513 Doug. ix. iv. 41.
Sammyn thai ȝeid to mete, to rest or play(3) c1450-2 Howlat 665.
The blissit pape … prayit tham ilkane To remayne to the meit at the mydday Ib. 676.
All thus thai mufe to the meit a1500 Henr. Fab. 317 (Asl.).
Cum to ȝour meit, this perrell is our past a1500 Rauf C. 661.
Ȝit was the king in the hall … Vngane to the meit(4) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 215.
The meriest war menskit on mete at the maillc. c1420 Wynt. viii. 1496.
Quhen scho mad hyr to rys fra met [: set] All thai courssys [etc.]d. (1) a1400 Leg. S. vii. 617.
& sete a man at met rycht thare That [etc.] ?1438 Alex. ii. 11087. c1450-2 Howlat 831. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1159.
Quhen thai war machit at mete, the mare and the myn 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9773. 1570 Leslie 50.
And [he] thairfoir maid him his companeyoun in bed and at meit —a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 497 (see e (1) below).(2) 1375 Barb. vii. 268 (C).
Bot he had schort quhil at the met Sittyn quhen [etc.] c1420 Wynt. iii. 450.
As thai were set That day togyddyr at thare mete Ib. vii. 480.
And I before hym wes standand At his mete, and he syttand Ib. iii. 828, vi. 1442, vii. 466; etc. a1570-86 Maitl. F. xlv. 54.
Be blyth at the meit and sad at the prayaris

e. Before or efter (the or one's) mete.(1) 1456 Hay I. 249/31.
And be caus that men ar better sett to Goddis service before na efter mete Ib. II. 133/28.
Syne to slepe eftir mete apon a soft bed c1475 Wall. iii. 319. a1500 Prestis of Peblis 161. 1567 G. Ball. 18. 1579, 1617 Despauter (1579).
Bellaria, desert efter meit c1580-90 Rules of Health.
Befoir meit vse sum corporall exercitioun a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 497.
Efter meat and before meit maks madins meith at meat(2) a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 1098.
This tyrand had in custume ay Eftire his mete ilke day To payre ane apil ?1438 Alex. ii. 5006. ?a1500 Remembr. Passion 95.
Befor the meit, This day mak feist in the hous of Zachare Ib. 386, 579.

f. Time of mete, meal-time. — c1400 Troy-bk. i. 371.
Be this was commyn tyme of mete, Braid burdis war wpborn and sete a1500 Bk. Chess 723.
Thai gart espy this lord in tyme of mete [: set v.] Ib. 1914.
On a daye in to the tyme of meit [: set v.] 1533 Boece ix. viii. 305 b.

g. To mak mete (? = to take a meal, dine) with (another). — 1689 Cramond Kirk S. III. 26 Dec.
Reported … by the minister that … he mad mett with and visitt at Barntoun

4. Attrib. and comb.a. Attrib., as mete-boat, -day (one on which victual was marketed), -kettil, -wage (= board-wage). Also Mete-almery, -burd(e. 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 302.
He is payit of his met wage to this day 1597 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 186.
Ane mett kettil, ane wly kettil, ane aill barrel 1599 Brown Paisley I. 177.
Visitors of the meat to pas with the baillies everie meat day to visit kynd of vivers 1653 Edinb. Test. LXVII. 146 b.
Tua fresche meat boatis estimat both to sex s.

b. Meit-scheip, -lamb, intended to be slaughtered for food and not grown for wool. Cf. also Met(e)-butter, -fisch. 1547–8 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 571.
The pasturing of maister Markis meit scheip 1644 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. IV. 31.
I most haue of scheip to me meit scheip to my houssis iii scoir 1697 Brabster Rental in Old-lore Misc. VIII. ii.
With a meatt lamb at Lambes nixt, if shoe have itt

c. In objective compounds, as mete-dichting, -offering and mete-gevar, -revar, -seller.(1) c1460 Consail Wys Man 176.
Be nocht dangerous of met dichting 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 156/27.
And as for the meit offering I will nocht accept it(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxiii. 44.
Inopportoun askaris of Yrland kynd, And meit revaris 1567 Acts III. 31/2.
The ressettar … meit geuar & intercommonar with sic personis salbe [etc.] a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxxviii. 4.
Craftis men officiaris and meit selleris

d. Meit-will, a desire for food. — 1643 Dalyell Darker Superst. 493.
Ye sall haue such a meitwill and sall haue nothing to eat

e. Meit-worth, well supplied with food, amply provisioned. Meat-like, having a well-fed appearance; coupled with cloathlike (= well-dressed). 1576 Crim. Trials I. ii. 53.
Seis thow nocht me, baith meit-worth, claith-worth, and gude aneuch lyke in persoun? 1692 Presb. Eloq. (ed. 2) 24.
The poor … wanderers have look'd as meat-like and cloath-like as others that sat at ease in their houses