A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1640-1676
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Slicht, Slight, Sleight, v.2 [17th c. Eng. slight (1640-4), sleight (1646), LG slichten, Du. slechten to level.] To demolish or dismantle (a building or chiefly, a fortification).1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 67.
For slighting [pr. flighting] of the hows of the Threive; ordaines the said hows of the Threive to be slighted [pr. flighted] … as follows, viz.,—that the sklait roofe of the hows and batlement thairof be taken downe with the lofting thairof, dores and windowes of the samen and to tak out the haill iron work … and to stop the vault … and dispose upon the tymber [etc.] … to the use of the publict 1641 Acts V 681/2.
That the regimentis presentlie on foote may be disbandit and fortificatiounes slighted conforme to the treatie 1644 Acts VI i 84/2.
The estates considering that … the fortification and strenth of the castle of Dunbartane were appoynted to be slighted … therefore appoynt the same housis and wallis and strenth therof to be demolished and razed to the ground 1651 Old Dundee I 544.
The haill houses in the Wallgait, [etc.] … be presently slichtit and demolishit 1657 Balfour Ann. II 380.
This housse [sc. of Airlie] he slighted [pr. flighted] destroyed all the planting, and plundred the quhole poore tenants 1659 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 183.
They wer orderit be Generall Monck to slicht and braik downe the fort 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 29. 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 97.
Order … to sie the garisons accordinglie slighted … to requyre immediatlie to cause take dovne the stone work of the citiedale of Leith … and … our Inglish forces shall throw doune the earthen workes there. You shall also take effectuall course for taking doune the stone work and demolishing the fortifications of the rest of the citiedales 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 447.
The cittadell was slighted, all the country in course called in to rase it a1676 Guthry Mem. 77.
Having dismantled and slighted the house(b) 1661 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. I 98. 1665 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 28.
The castle itself [was] sleighted and demolished
