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.
Loth(e, Loith, a. Also: loath(e, louth. [e.m.E. loath(e, e.m.E. and ME. loth(e, used in place of Sc. Lathe a.] Hateful; unwilling, reluctant; and quasi-adv. —(1) 1513 Doug. xiii. vii. 54.
Quhidder me war loith or leif … Constrenyt I was —1615 Highland P. III. 232.
He wald be loathe that ony of his travellis sould be ony latt [etc.] 1626 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 248.
I sal be very lothe to be hard for evill nychtborhead 1628 Ib. 293.
I … sall be loith that ye sall have … occasione to wis tham in wors conditione 1640 Hibbert P. No. 3.
I wald be louth to sie any … schame befal … her —(2) a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 1065.
quasi-adv. Many goodnights is loth away
