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.
Thinnes, Thinnesse, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. þinnesse (Trevisa), thynnesse (Prompt. Parv.), thinnes (1577), thinnesse (1582); Thin adj.] a. Lack of denseness (in the weave of a garment). b. Narrowness of extent between sides, lack of width. c. Of ground: Shallowness, in respect of soil. —a. 1642 Caldwell P. 94.
My regiment … will require collors … Send me fortie ells of taffata sarsenet, such as will not run & scatter in the threads for thinnes nor will not frett by stiffnes —b. 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 7.
We went … to the back of the wall wheir by the back and sydes of the broad we discerned it to be of such thinnesse that it could not admit any utcomings as these pillars seimed to us —c. 1627 Rep. Parishes 129.
We ar vncertane considdering the thinnes of the ground lyand so neir Glaidismure quhat it may pay or quhow lang
