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.
Quhite, v.2 Also: quhyte, white, whytt. [Sc. var. of e.m.E. and ME thwyte, thwite (Chaucer), thwet (a 1500), to cut down, pare, OE þwitan (*þwát, þwit- also þweot-) to cut (off). Cf. ON þveita, þvita kinds of axe. Also Quhittil(l n., Quhittin ppl. adj. For reduction of the initial consonant sequence, cf. Quhang(e n.] To shape by paring. Also fig. —1567 G. Ball. 72.
For stock and stane is mammontrie, Quhilk men may carfe or quhite [: writ] 1622 Crim. Trials III 607.
As for elf-arrow heidis … elf-boyes … whyttis and dightis them with a sharp thing lyk a paking neidle Ib. 615.
The divell dights them, and the elf-boyes quhytes themfig. 1639 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 567.
I know that ye see your knottiness, since our Lord whiteth, and heweth, and plaineth you
