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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.

Lite, Lyte, v. Also: litte, lytt. [f. Liten.¹ Cf. Leit v.]

1. tr. To place on a list of selected candidates for an office, to nominate as candidate(s). 1574 Glasg. B. Rec. I. 23.
Lytis lytit be the … auld counsale to be presentit to my lord archibischop … for nemmyng of twa or thre of thame in baillies 1584 Acts III. 362/1.
[That] the said provest baillies and counsell nominat and lyte thrie personis … of euerie one of the saidis fourtene craftis 1598 St. A. Kirk S. 870.
That the elderis and deacones be lited and chosin this ouk following 1607 Reg. Privy C. VII. 388.
Mr William Row causit the foure bretherine quhilkis the day preceiding wer lyted to remove 1623 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 246.
To caus chairge to be givin to the saids thrie ministers lyttit to be hard to repair to this burgh —1631 Red Bk. Menteith II. 129 (see Lite n.¹ 3). — 1646 Argyll Synod I. 99.
Of these lited to be moderator … the said Mr Neill is elected 1672 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 126.
The members … shall indifferently be capable of being lited deacons 1673 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 171.
The haill merchand rank who wer to be lytted, being in number threttin, wer divydit in sex lytis

b. To nominate a leet or list of candidates for (a certain office). 1657 Elgin Rec. I. 302.
That the deacone to be chosen yeirlie for each craft shall be litted be the counsell of the craft being tu or three on the littes

2. To nominate, appoint. 1630 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III. 650.
All sessiones aucht to be governed … be the ministers [etc.] … chosin for the tyme, and ther sentences to be putt civillie in executioun be such persones … as salbe lited be them