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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.

Thin, Thyn, adj. Also thine, thinn(e, thyne. [ME and e.m.E. thyn, thine, þinne, þynne (all Cursor M.), thin (c1350), OE þynne.]Also in use as a surname; see Black Surnames, s.v. Thin. 1404 Liber Melros II 485.
Roberto Thyn monacho dicti monasterij

1. Thin, of relatively small extent from one side to the other; lacking thickness or density.Cf. To mak (a person's) pak thin, Pak n.¹ 2 d. a1500 Seven S. 97.
Ane edoke leif that was wele thyn c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 23.
Curches … of kirsp cleir and thin 1513 Doug. iii vi 182.
Tha thyn [Ruddim. thyne] leiffis 15.. Clar. ii 1483.
The variant hewis without of purpour thine a1568 Bann. MS 77b/94.
For thow rycht nocht sall haif away with théBot ane thin scheitt that day that thow salt de 1582 Misc. Stair Soc. I 108 (see Thik adj. 1).
Thinnar 1588 Aberd. B. Rec. II 61.
That the said Duncan haid done wrang in … braking doune of the said poirt at the wast gawill of his stair … and maid the same waiker and thynnar nor it wes obefoir 1657 Glasgow B. Rec. II 374.
To build ane thine dyk … according as the saids mairsche stanes ar sett 1678 Cunningham Diary 105.
For 4 new thin hoods to my sisters 1699 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 281 (see Thik adj. 1 b).
Thinn

b. specif. Of a part of the body: Lacking flesh or fat, spare. a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 159.
With lippis bla and cheikis leine and thin

c. comb. and fig. Thin-skinned, ? sensitive, ? self-critical. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 502.
Your letter, full of complaints, bemoaning your guiltiness, hath humbled me. … the use that I make of it is, I am sorry that I am not so tender and thin-skinned

2. Having the component parts relatively widely separated; of a loose texture, not dense or compacted. 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Georgics ii 227.
Rara [terra], thine

b. Of the members of a class or group, collectively: Few in number; sparse, scanty. Also, to mak (persons, etc.) thin, to reduce in number.(1) 1533 Boece 235.
Diuers of oure armye quhare inemyis war thyn, brak out and fled 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 336.
Christ hath but a very thin backing this day, and the devil hath a very great backing(2) ?1438 Alex. i 1768.
Bot, allace, it was mekill sin That thay of Grece war maid sa thin a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 350.
Corspatrik … maid Irisch and Irisch men thin a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 416.
Hang Dunbar, Quarter and draw, and mak that surname thin 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 437.
Do not … make Christ's court thinner by drawing back from Him (it is too thin already)

c. Of an assemblage or grouping of people; Scantily attended or furnished with members. 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 20.
Our estate meets to-morrow, which I doe beleive shall be a thin meeting 1691 Melville Corr. 149.
The Duke … is endeavouring to make upe a regiment … but its very thin

d. Of a language, in respect of its speakers: Scarce or sparse in distribution. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 350 (see 2 b (2) above).
Thin

3. Light or clear rather than dense in consistency; liquid; runny, watery. a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 735.
He … vndir it [sc. a pan] a fyre gert ma Til that mater [sc. pitch and brimstone] wes moltyne thyne 1585 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 431.
That the samyn [drink] be browin thynner as cumis to threttie twa gallouns the boll 1500-1699 Herbarius Latinus Annot. (Bot.).
The thynnar that the vryng is the feblar is the man 1701 Brand Orkney & Shetl. 76.
They then pour in some hot water upon the serum, whey or thinner part of the milk in proportion to the milk

4. In fig. use: Insubstantial, weak, poor; scanty, insufficient. Also ellipt. a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 354.
Ignorant fule … thy wit is thin c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 127/33.
And ȝett suppois my thrift be thyneellipt. 1535 Stewart 39139.
Becaus he wes in his substance so thyn, Fenȝeand ane caus quhair riches wes to wyn

b. specif. Of (chiefly, or only, alcoholic) beverages; Lacking in body and richness; weak, low in alcoholic strength. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 73/13.
Aill … that is thyn and small 1540 Lynd. Sat. 4139 (B).
To mak thin [Ch. thinne] aill thay think na falt, Of mekle barme, and littill malt, Agane the mercat day a1578 Pitsc. II 146/10.
He wald grant nothing to thame bot saltt sallmond and thin drink quhilk gart thame tyne curage quhene they had maist ado

c. proverb. ? = 4 or ? 4 b above. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1406.
Oft the ladle in the pot maks thin kaile