A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1623
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Bit, Byt, n.2 Also: bitt. [e.m.E. bit, bytte (1523), corresp. to ME. bite, byte, OE. bita, ON. biti, morsel, bit.]
1. A small piece or portion.1456 Hay I. 42/31.
Na man … mycht se him nor na bit of his body c1420 Ratis Raving 976.
Thow sal nocht wyne thare-one a byt 1562 Edinb. B. Deeds 60 b.
His thak hous liand … fornents the … tua bittis or pecis of land a1568 Bannatyne MS 140 a/28.
Gritt bladis and bittis thow stall full aft 1573 Davidson Satirical Poems xlii. 731.
Ane bit teillit heir, ane vther thair 1578 Inv. Wardrobe 238.
Sindrie bittis of silk of divers culloris 1596 Dalr. II. 10/2.
Naket swordes … in quhilkes, thay sayd, the securitie of thair landis consistet, and nocht in bitis of paper 1623 Elgin Rec. II. 180.
Dewill a bitt of hir sittis heir
2. A morsel of food.c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvii. 54.
Off all his dennar … His breist held deill a bitt a1500 Peblis to Play 26.
That day ane byt scho eit nocht 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 210.
Gif God was maid of bittis of breid1596 Dalr. II. 220/14.
That xl days and nychtes … he had fasted but outher bitt or sope 1596 Ib. 27.
Nouther bitt nor sopea1598 Fergusson's Prov. 47.
He gives him the bit & the buffet with it
3. At the bit, at the critical moment.1581 Sempill Sat. P. xliii. 141.
Franke on the feildis and formest at the bit
