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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Melteth, n. Also: mail(l)-, meal- and -tethe, -tetht, -taith, -teithe, tith(e, -tet, -teit, -tit, -tat. [Sc. varr. of Meltyd(e n.: cf. late ON. máltíð (Da. maaltid). Also in the mod. dial. as meltith, -te(i)th, -taith, meltit, -et, mealtate.]

1. A meal, repast. = Male n.² 1.Also attrib. in melteth-tyme.(1) a1538 Abell 20 b.
He had bot 3 coursis at the melteth and drank bot thris 1556 Elgin Rec. I. 31.
And that thair be guid cheir throw all the toune for gentillmen and thair servandis for xii d. at the melteithe 1566 Reg. Privy C. I. 489. 1573 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 24 Dec.
For xxx d. at the meltetht 1578 Conv. Burghs I. 59. 1578 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 75.
Matho Wilsone is maid and constitut calf hird, … and is ordanit to have vj d. for ilk calf and his meit daylie about, or ellis xij d. for ilk meltetht 1585 Reg. Privy C. III. 751.
For a manis ordinar melteth of sufficient braid and aill, soddin beiff, mutton, and brois, and rosted mutton c1580-90 Rules of Health 7.
Forbering drink betuix meltethis and eftir supper 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 140.
Meltithis 1606 Edinb. B. Rec. VI. 22.
Meltethe(b) 1565 Buch. Wr. 7.
Every man ane eg at the mailteth … ane cours of fysche at mailteth 1574–5 Haddington Treas. Acc. 28.
To keip the warklowmis in tyme of mailltaith(c) 1572 Cal. Sc. P. IV. 556.
[The price of their] meltatis [should be no dearer than 16 d. Scots] 1594 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I. 300.
That ilk bailȝie and the commoun clerk of the toun sall haue … at ilk meltat viz. at dennar and supper ane quart of vyne of ilk schip [etc.] 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 57 a.
For ii meltetis met to our chelder(2) a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 121.
proverbs A heartie hand to give a hungrie meltith Ib. No. 860.
Twa hungrie meltits [Pappity Stampoy -tithes] makes the third a glutton a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS. No. 197.
A melteth of meat is the best gift ever a man gave(3) c1580-90 Rules of Health.
attrib. Drink … at melteth tyme onlye

2. An occasion of milking of a cow or cows, a milking. = Male n.² 2. 1550 Old Dundee II. 200.
The cow gave ane chopin of miik every mailteit 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V. 546.
Alse mony mealtitis off milk