A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rat(t, n.2 [ME (Piers Plowman) and e.m.E. rat(te, ratt, OE ræt (once), Du., MHG rat, OHG ratte, F. rat, med. L. rat(t)us.] A rat. = Ratto(u)n n. Also, ? dyslogistically, in extended sense. Also attrib. with cullour.(1) 1585 James VI Ess. 71.
Thow maid the rocks … For Alpin ratts, where they doe liue and ludge 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 7.
Ther is not a ratt in Sutherland(2) a1605 Montg. Flyt. 282 (T).
[They] Saw revinis ruge at this rat [H. ratton] be ane rone-ruite. They musit at this mandrak mismaid lyk ane manattrib. 1595 Edinb. Test. XXVIII 9.
Tuelf elnes … of rat cullour Lundoun braid claytht
