A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Maltalent, n. Also: male-, mail-. [ME. (14th c.) and e.m.E. maltalent, maletalent, OF. maltalent irritation, anger, ill-will.] = Matalent n.1456 Hay II. 91/21.
Nocht to be hyely na irefull and full of male talent 1513 Doug. i. i. h. of ch.
Junois wreth and mailtalent Ib. x. xii. 103.
Acron … in the ded thraw … Smate with hys helys the grond in maltalent 1549 Compl. 22/31.
Sayand that the grite afflictione [of Pinkie] … hes procedit fra the maltalent of dame Fortoune a1651 Calderwood IV. 483.
If I were a politick, with anie mal-talent toward him 1616 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 221.
[They] did conceale … fra my father thair maltalent & malice against the Quene a 1649 Drummond Wks. (1711) 14.
