A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Wit, v.2 P.t. wat, wit(t. [ME witen (c1175), witenn (Orm), wite (Cursor M.), wyte (Rolle), OE wítan, ᵹe-wítan.] a. intr.To go away, depart; vanish. b. tr. To bring to an end, cause to die away. —a. pres. a1497, 15.. Gray MS vi 65.
Thir emotis … ay Rinnand oute … With litill weit thai wit away —p.t. a1400 Leg. S. xxxii 229.
As a reke away he wat [: hat] —(b) c1420 Wynt. v 5344 (W).
Sodanely away wit [R. passyd, C. passit] he Out of that steid c1420 Wynt. vi 1187 (W).
Quhen this wes said he wit away —b. c1400 Troy-bk. i 465.
Scho wald horribile erding ger be And hydwisly wp raise the see … And syne wald scho mak tranquillite And input scylence to the see The horrible erdyng witt away
