A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1567-1603
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Saucht, n. [ME sæhte (1154), saht(e (Layamon), seihte (Ancr. R.), sauht (c1275), saght (Cursor M.). Also in the later Sc. and north. Eng. dial., late OE seht, seaht masc., ON *sæht, *saht fem. (OIcel. sǽtt, sátt).] Freedom from strife, vexation or trouble; peace. Chiefly in the phrase, to sit in saucht. — a1568 Bannatyne MS 160b/43.
For he may nevir sit in saucht Onles he be hir sklaif 1583 Sempill Warning iii.
Mak swir the dwirs giff ȝe wald sit in saucht 1603 Philotus 1144.
The feind wald faine man be ȝour wyfe, Can neuer sit in saucht —proverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 164.
Better saucht with little aucht, nor care with many kow
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"Saucht n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/saucht_n>
