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.
Kelter, n. Also: -ar, -ir, -our. [Also north. e.m.E. kelter (1543), keltar (1580). ? Cf. Early Ir. celtar covering, disguise, cloak, garment (Hessen, Kuno Meyer), Gael. cealtar also thick (grey) broad-cloth (but the latter may be f. Sc.). In the mod. dial. of Orkney only.] = Kelt n.1 b. Attrib. with cote, goun, gray (cloth).1502 Treas. Acc. II. 198.
For making of ane cote of kelter 1504 Ib. 324, 325.
Keltir 1506–7 Ib. III. 250.
For ane maid cote of keltir, black gray lynyt Ib. 251. 1507–8 Ib. IV. 61.
For ane maid jacat of keltir 1576 Orkney Oppress. 72.
xvi elnis of keltarb. 1503 Treas. Acc. II. 234.
For ane litill keltir cote to the King 1505 Ib. III. 38.
Ane blak keltir cote Ib. 40. 1506 Ib. 300. a 1700 Lord of Lorn in Child Ballads (1898) V. 54/2.
He put him in an old kelter coat And hose of the same above the knee, He bid him go to the shepherd's house [etc.] —1560 Peebles B. Rec. I. 259.
Frater Gilbertus … pro timore vite sue et distructionis sui … monasterii mutabat suum habitum vestendo suum album habitum in alterum colore[m] vulgo vocatur gray keltour govne et vnum lie how blak bonet —1536 Treas. Acc. VI. 296.
To be standing housouris to the grete hors, x elnys kelter gray
