A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Neat, Neit, Nait, Net, n. Also: net(e, neet, nette. [e.m.E. neat(e, e.m.E. and ME. neet, nete, ME. also net, nett(e (14–15th c.), OE. néat, used in place of Nowt n.]
1. Cattle.1653 Stirling Ant. II. 12.
He … went efter the heirdes to tack the nette from them 1658 Sc. Ant. XIII. 37.
Sheep and neat 1674 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II. 185 (3 Jan.).
[4 sowmes … 3 being] neat [and 1 sheep] 1679 Sc. Ch. Hist. Soc. Rec. IX. 119.
It were better to drive in neet or sheep in to hear him preach nor [etc.]
2. a. Attrib. or comb.With (1) ledder, leather and boots (= made of the skins of cattle), (2) driver and (3) saw (= remedy for ailments in cattle). Also Neat-graith.(1) 1606 Edinb. Test. XLI. 190 b.
Fyve hydis of neat ledder at xij li. the pece 1618 Ib. L. 171.
Fourtie ane skines of neit and calffis ledder 1657 Hector Renfrewshire Rec. 129.
For an pair of nait leather shoes to your self 1673 Lauder Jrnl. 263.
A pair of net leather shoes —1652 Will in Paterson Ayr & Wigton III. 350.
[Fifty marks] with his weiring cloithes, with cloake, net boots, schanks and bands(2) 1647 Baillie III. 22.
Some man … whom the old neat-driver hes lascht soe grievouslie(3) 1699 Foulis Acc. Bk. 249.
To Mrs. Hair for 3 unce neit saw for the young coatch horse
b. Possess. with foot and tongue, chiefly as articles of food: cf. also Neats head.(1) 1631 Buccleuch Household Bk. 29 Oct.
For nets foot fryed … a neats foote 1708 Household B. Gr. Baillie 227.
For nets fiet oyls(2) 1665 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 526.
For a deasone of neatis tongus
