A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Halfhed(e, -heid, Half(f)et, n. Also: halffeit, half(f)it, halfatt, halffat. [OE. healfhéafod. A common later var. is Haffet.] The side of the head, above and in front of the ear; the temple.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 2153.
He laid his halfheid sicker hard and sad 1513 Doug. vi. viii. 41.
Deiphobus … Thar he beheld, and crewel manglit face, … Halfhedis spulȝeit Ib. ix. xiii. 67.
Hys bos helm … Clynkand abowt hys halfheddis with a dyn 1570 Wemyss Chart. 200.
Archbald Wynd … straik the said Robert Bruce on the halfheid with his fauld naif 1604 Ellon Presb. 48.
[He struck her upon the] half heid and schulder(b) 1513 Doug. ii. xi. 10.
The leym of fyre … In his haris, about his halffettis [Sm. halffeittis] baith Kyndyllis vp brycht Ib. iv. xi. 107.
And thou thy self thine halffettis als array With haly garland a1578 Pitsc. I. 258/16.
He had nothing on his heid bot syde reid ȝallow hair behind a.nd on his halffitis Ib. II. 48/6.
Monsr Lorgie wpe witht his neif and gaif on the halffit ane blow befor the quene 1589 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 127.
Jonete … is decernit in ane wrang for streking of the said Jonete Bogyll on the halfatt 1613 Conv. Burghs II. 429.
Giff any of the merchants … sould gif ane vther cuf on the halfit, thay sall pay ane pund Flemys 1615 Inverness Rec. II. 134.
Upon the halffat
