Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Moth, n. Also: motht, moith, mooth, moath, moeth. [ME. mohðe (c 1230), moththe, motthe, moþþe, mouth, ME. and e.m.E. moth(e, OE. moþþe: cf. Moch.] A clothes-moth or its larva.(Owing to the frequent confusion of c and t in the MSS., there is also a possibility that in the Henryson quot. and the 1591 quot. earlier instances of Moch n. ‘moth’ may have been intended. Cf. the note to Moch v., where a similar difficulty arises.) a1500 Henr. Fab. 139 (Makc.).
Sciens … is ryches … Quhilk moith [Bann. motht, H., Ch. maith] na moist na othir rowst [sall] fret 1587 Carmichael Etym. 16.
Teredo, a worme in wode, or a moth in garments 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I. viii.
[There exist] peces and partis of four ald imperfyt … buikes consumitt and eitin be mothes 1702 New Mills Manuf. 323.
A sade colloured cloath … spoiel'd by the moeths bot … severall … would buy upon granting a consideratione of abatement for the said mooth eating

b. fig. Applied to something that eats away, wastes or diminishes (wealth, happiness, etc.) gradually and silently. c1650 Spalding II. 32.
That he middill not with any churche leivinges, for that will prove a moath and canker to him in his estate a1658 Durham Commandments 240. 1661–5 W. Guthrie in Sel. Biog. II. 71.
The remembrance of it will make void many of our … enjoyments and proves a moth in them 1667 Kennedy-Lauderdale Lett. 64.
Believe me, my children's curse and mine will be a greater moth in your estate 1668-9 Fraser Lawfulness Separ. 91.
What wisdom is it … to take such moths into our bosom? 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 424.