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.
Quotation dates: 1543-1699
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Jeist, n. Also : jeyste, jiest, jist, (just), jeast, jaist. [Var. of Geist n.; e.m.E. ieast (1581). Cf. Jest n.] a. A joist. b. A large beam of timber as used for joists.(a) 1548 Treasurer's Accounts X. 426.
For xliiij grit aikin jeistis schippit in Andro Gallowayis schip 1562–3 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 177.
In laboring upon durris, windokis, breddis, jiestis, the fluring of baith the chalmeris [etc.] 1595 Rec. Convention of Royal Burghs I. 471.
Ilk bark ladin with jeistis and sparis 1596 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 621.
Greit treyis off aik … to be jeistis to the loft 1600 Criminal Trials II. 152.
Causing bring ane jeist to ryn at the yet thairof, and ding it vp 1628 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 373.
That the jeistis be all weill paintit 1628 Master of Works Accounts XXII. 1.
Jeistis of fourtie footes lang a peace 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 230.
[They] tuick away sex great jeystes quhilk war allowet for repairing of the bridge 1675 Cunningham Diary 65.
For half a firr jeist(b) 1543–4 Treasurer's Accounts VIII. 248.
For tua gret justis [sic] of aik, devisit to be briggis for the said artalȝe 1639 Mun. Univ. Glasg. III. 487.
Fourscore seven jists, … threescore and fyve couples(c) a1578 Pitsc. I. 251/16.
The Great Michell … was ten fute thik in the waill, cuttit jeastis of aik … sa stark and thik [etc.] 1607–8 Mun. Univ. Glasg. III. 560.
For ane grit jeast to the College v li. c 1656 Irvine Mun. II. 260.
Twoll eiken jeasts 1674 Master of Works Accounts XXX. 8 b.
Heiseing wp of jeasts c 1687 Cromartie Corr. I. 55.
Timber enough … for jeasts and rooff and windowes 1699 Thanes of Cawdor 393.
A convenient place made at the neck of the chimnies … to receive the ends of … jeastis(d) a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 37.
This George … compleitit also the jammay hous of Seytoun fra the first jaistis vp
c. comb. and attrib. in jeist-heicht (= high) and jeastholle (= hole). 1589 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 131.
It sall nocht be lesum to him to big ony laiche windois … quhill he be jeist heicht 1648 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII. 184.
The second storie of jeastholles to be maid in all sydes all alonges and maid good againe
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"Jeist n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/jeist_n>
