A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tant, Taunt, n. [e.m.E. taunte (a1529), taunt (1548); Tant v.]
1. Tant pro (for) tant, tit for tat, like for like; blow for blow.1535 Stewart 14741.
With loude lauchter he maid grit ruse and vant How he had playit the Romanis tant pro tant 15.. Clar. v 1197.
Upon the greine he gave them tant for tant, Whill that thay grew so weirie and so faint
2. A taunt, insult, jibe.(a) 1558-66 Knox I 12.
Whill the Bischope and his band could not weill revenge thame selfis, and whill many tantis war gevin thame in thair teith a1585 Polwart Flyt. 187 (T).
Now, taidface, tak this for ane tant, I heir ȝowr howsing is richt fair Quhair howland howlattis ay do hant 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
Against the which [argument] Esopes taile may well serue for a tant, whose colȝer and fuller … could not lodge together(b) 1572 Knox VI 488.
And then mon we answere to his blaspheamous tauntis and mockage a1570-86 Arbuthnot in Maitl. F. 51/81.
Ȝea ofttymes man I lauch suppois I irk Quhen bitterlie thair tauntis thai haue tauld
