A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Bonteth, n. Also: bontethe, -teith; bontath. [OF. bontet, bonted, earlier form of bonté: see Bonté and cf. Bounteth.] A gratuity, bounty. Also attrib. with shoes.1539 Exch. R. XVII. 217.
In duabus bollis farrine avenatice deliberatis pro lie bonteth duarum navicularum 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 196.
Understandand that … thair was ane honest reward promist to him for his bontath Ib.
Acceptand the premissis for his reward and bontath 1563 Ib. III. 159.
He had seruit treulie … at the wark of the new tolbuth … and thair desyrit thair lordschippis to mak him thair fre gild broder for his bonteth c1590 Fowler 200 § 66.
But any gayne by bontethe or by fee 1675 Corshill Baron Ct. 128.
Three paire of new shoes … and two new shirtis as the bontethes … resting be him to Margaret Nicoll … for severall termes service 1686 Ib. 173.
Ane paire of double solled bonteith shoes of ane hirds bonteith
