A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1420, 1475-1591
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Filth, Fylth, n. Also: fylthe, filthe, filtht, feilth. [ME. filth(e, fylth(e, OE. fýlþ.]
1. Foul matter; repulsive dirt.(a) c1420 Wynt. iv. 82.
Cysternys he gert be maid depe, Fylth or wattyr for to kepe c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vii. 455.
The reik mellyt with fylth of carioune c1515 Asloan MS I. 302/24.
Bestis of filth as lyonis, leopardis, vnicornis [etc.] 1530 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 29.
The guttaris of the tovne ar full of filith 1535 Stewart 59203.
Ane closat quhair the filth did ryn Of all that place 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 12/17.
Ane hen … may scraipe sa lang amang the fyltht 1591 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 435.
For making ane passage for discens of the fylth … frome the ȝaird(b) 1554–5 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 295.
For dychting and cleirring away of muke and feilth fra the nether tolbuith dure 1556 Ib. 253.
All the flescheouris … [to] caus cary the feilth … to the North Loch
2. Moral foulness.a1400 Legends of the Saints ix. 206.
Al fylth and iniquite of the feynd a1400 Ib. xxxiv. 105.
In the filth of syne c1420 Wynt. i. 920.
Cyteis ma that brynt for syn And fylth of thaim that duelt thare in 1490 Irland Mir. I. 34/22.
We desyre that God … deliuer ws fra euill and filth of syn 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 187.
Of brokkaris and syk bawdry … of quham the fylth stynkis in Godis neys 1583 Satirical Poems xlv. Pref. 60.
In thair awin filthes to get thair fames defyled
