A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Nicht-, Nycht-, Night-glas(s, n. Appar., a sandglass as used on board ship to time the night watches.1504–6 Treas. Acc. III. 91.
For vj compasses and tua nycht glasses for the schip xj s. 1512 Ib. IV. 302.
Deliverit … to Leith … tua nicht glassis 1506 Ib. 197. 1580 Edinb. Test. VIII. 193.
Certane bowattis skupes cumpasis & nycht glasis 1593 Ib. XXV. 255 b.
In compasis nycht glasis and lanterneis for schippis estimat to iiij li. 1613 Soc. Ant. X. 222. 1638 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 545.
Remember that the sand in your night-glass will run out, time with wings will flee away
