A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Letis, Letteis, Letwis, Lettus, n. Also: letys, letvis, letuis, lettous, lateis. [Late ME. (a 1450) and AF. (1363) letuse, e.m.E. lettushe (1553), -ys, -ice, letewis (1502), letwis (1662), lattice (1583), OF. letice, laitice, lect-, laictice (mod.F. dial. laitisse etc. weasel, one with white fur, also, a spirit appearing in the form of a small white animal), and cf. Ital. lattizio, ultim. f. L. lac, lact- milk.The variation in spelling of the suffix is appar. due to some confusion with Letuse n., Latuce n. lettuce.]
‘A kind of whitish grey fur (Cotgrave); a fur of white (? orig. milky) colour, appar. that of the weasel in its white winter coat in northern countries. Also comb. with -beste (Beste n. 3).1368 Exch. R. II. 300.
Pro vna timbra de letys, empta … ad vsum domine regine … xl s. 1374 Ib. 466.
In empcione trium timbrarum de letysses … et septem letisses 1444 Ib. V. 149.
Pro uno timbria et undecim bestiis dez letteis, precium timbrie [36 s.] 1457 Acts II. 49/2.
As to the gownys that na woman weir mertrikis nor letvis nor talys of vnsittande lenthe nor furryt vnder bot on the haliday 1512 Treas. Acc. IV. 215.
For xvj tymmere letteis to the Quenis goune of tanne weluus … price tymmer xl s. Ib.
For xxiiij bestis lateis put in ane parplait to the Quene 1512 Ib. 217.
To the said Lancelot Ferry for ane haill lyning of powderit letteis, put be him in ane nicht govne of the Quenis of blak satyn 1542 Inv. Wardrobe 100.
Ane gown of blak velvott … quhairof the slevis hes bein lynit with letuis 1552 Treas. Acc. X. 141.
To Andro Elphinstoun for furring of this goun witht mynniwer and edgeing of it with armyng, and furring of the dule hude with lettous 1612 Bk. Rates (Halyb.) 306.
Furres called letwis tawed the timber contening xl skinscomb. 1512 Treas. Acc. IV. 216.
For xx lettus bestis put in ane translatit goune of tanne welvot
