A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Prat(t, Prate, Pret, n. [ME (appar. only Layamon and in attrib. use) præt, pret, e.m.E. pratte (once, J. Paston), ME also pratt adj. cunning (Orm, etc.), otherwise appar. only Sc., late OE præt(t, pl. prattas, ON prettr.] A cunning or mischievous trick, a piece of deceit, a fraudulent scheme. Also to play a prat.(1) 1513 Doug. viii Prol. 81.
Quhat wikkytnes … now in warld walkis! … Prattis ar reput polycy and peralus pawkis 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xiii.
Of the tyme when kirk buriall was receiued … For the tyme when first this prat came in practise [etc.] Ib. xx.
Wee haue showen it a prat of proud pryde … we may proue it also to be … a most peruerse profanation 1639 Declamatour Pretended Bishops Refuted 63.
A knavish prat c 1680 Bk. Pasquils 184.
The mailing Stairs, (but for the goodman's prats Ne'er known) 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) ii 38.
Ye sectaries, quoth he, have bee-heads, Thy prats, a Cerberus, with three-heads(2) 1596 Dalr. I 338 marg.
The Cathnesmen seueirlie ar puniset for the perte and pernicious pratt thay playd to thair bischop 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 54.
When any plead a prate and all denied it, I know the man Ib. 129.
Wher I played one of the Gascons a pret in the boat
