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.
Lewit, a. Also: -yt. [ME. lewede, leawede etc., OE. lǽwede: cf. Lewd and Lawit.]
1. Unlearned, unlettered; lacking in literary graces, unpolished, rude.(1) c1475 Wall. v. 745.
Thir lewit Scottis has leryt litill gud 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 406.
I say nocht this of Chauser for offens, But till excus my lewyt [Sm. lawit] insufficiens Ib. 485.
Thocht I be lewit [Sm. lawit], my leill hart can nocht fenȝe c1520-c1535 Nisbet Acts iv. 13.
It was fundin that thai war vnlettirit and lewit men [Wycl. idiotis](2) a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 16.
Sum wold allege my lewit langage a les is 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 21.
With bad harsk speech and lewit barbour tong
2. Low-class, common, vulgar. = Lewd a. 2.1513 Doug. i. Prol. 323.
Our werk desiris na lewyt rebalddaill Full of nobilite is thistory all haill
