Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TWEEST, n., v. Also tweesht- and in dim. forms twees(h)tie, -tich(en); tweestoo (Ork.). Sc. forms of Eng. twist (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 454). [twist, twiʃt] Sc. n. usages: 1. Homespun cloth formed by weaving black and white threads together (Ork. 1973, tweestoo).Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. 42:
Another variety of shade was obtained by twining together two strands of different colours. This kind of worsted got the name of tweest.Ork. 1924 P. Ork. A.S. II. 78:
In winter they [schoolboys] sometimes sported “tweestie,” that is, homespun cloth of white and black native wool with the threads interwoven.

2. Gen. in dim. forms: a small amount, esp. of food, fodder or drink (Bnff., Abd. 1931); a small undersized person.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick ii., iii.:
A tweeshtichen oot o' the fusky pig. . . . Gin 'ere's a tweeshtie o' honey left ower.Abd. 1956 Bon-Accord (4 Oct.):
You crafter buddies are temerous about your tweestick o' stuffy.Abd. 1973:
Jist a tweesht o a cratur.