A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590-1591, 1651-1695
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Scouth, Skouth, n.1 Also: skowth. [Perh. altered f. Scope n.2 ‘on analogy’, SND conjectures, ‘with abstract nouns ending in -th’, as Drouth, Fouth, etc. (SND, s.v. Scowth n.)] Freedom of movement or action; freedom (to do something); scope; liberty. —1590-1 R. Bruce Serm. 387.
Bands which circle and fetter him, that he hath no scouth or liberty to run out 1651 Comm. Gen. Assembly III 480.
Neither have we given larger skouth or liberty anent lowsing of the Act of Classes [etc.] 1690 David Williamson Sermon Preached Before King's Commissioner 14.
These who indulge themselves … and love skowth and elbow-room to sin without control 1695 Sibbald Autobiog. in Analecta Scotica 1695 I 150.
I gave full scouth to my affection for him
