A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1460-1513, 1567-1623
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Picht, Pichte, v. P.t. and p.p. picht, pycht, pight, pyght; pecht; plight (? erroneous form). [ME. pichen (c 1290), picchen (1297), pyche (15th c.), e.m.E. pydche (Caxton), pytche (1545), pitch (1551); p.t. pihte (c 1205), piȝte (1297), pyght, pighte (Manning), picht (a 1370), piȝten (1382), pytched (Caxton), pyched (1530); p.p. ipiȝt (1297), ipeȝt, ipight (1387), ipiht (a 1400), piȝt (c 1350), piht (1362), pight (c 1400), piȝte (c 1420), piched (14th c.), ipicht (a 1370), picchid (c 1420); to fix in, make fast, set; set in order, arrange; cast or throw; slope downwards; etc. Of unknown ulterior origin.Cf. also north. ME. pykke, pik(ke (only in Petyt MS. of Manning), e.m.E. pick(e, collateral form of pitch v.]Chiefly in p.p.
1. tr. To set up (a tent) by making it fast (with poles, etc.). b. To erect (a tent); to pitch.Also, once, to pichte one's campt.(1) a1500 Henr. Fab. 877 (Bann.).
With pollis proud a palȝoun doun [H. can] thaj picht a1500 Golagros and Gawane 313.
Thai plantit doun ane pailyeoun … that proudly wes picht With rapis of rede gold riale to see c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace viii. 1176.
Tentis on ground and palȝonis proudly pycht 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1167. a1605 Montg. Mindes Mel. xix. 18.
There he a throne Set for the sunne And paylion pight [pr. plight] his mansion to abide(b) a1595 Cullen Chron. Aberd. 69.
Thair wertues tent is pecht, Here wices lodging lyes(2) c1590 Fowler II. 108/35.
The same instructeth thé … how to pichte thy campt
2. To put (a person or thing) (in a certain place or condition); to set up, establish, fix; to implant.Also fig.(1) a1500 Buke of the Sevyne Sagis 1150.
Ald Ysak … was … on the morne on pillar picht 1513 Doug. x. iii. 35.
Lyke as ane gem … Departis the gold set amydwart the ryng Or in the crownell pyght 1513 Ib. 44.
Ane circulet of plyabill gold … apon hys hed weil pyght 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 27/178.
Yon fleing godhead slight Who in idolatrous breasts his darts hath pight 1581-1623 Ib. 151/343.
The ophtallmie … by gathering of to grosse ane humoure picht Uithin the bricht spreitis gydaire Doth the durr close of the licht c1590 Fowler I. 365/12.
My ladyes picture sawe I ther As vyve as love hathe in my hart it pight [: sight, bright](2) c1590 J. Stewart 62/181.
As ane tour maist vicht and suirlie pycht 1581-1623 James VI Poems I. 123/92.
From Alexanderis alteris to the pillairis Hercules picht(3) 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 216.
Thocht subtill Sardanapalus A prince was picht to reule and regne [etc.]fig. c1590 J. Stewart 216 § 65.
All thair plesour in this vorld vas pycht
3. To set or stud (a garment or appurtenance) with gems; to adorn.c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 1342.
The leist cot-armes of euirie knycht With precius stanis was sa proudlie picht a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 467.
His plaitis properlie picht attour with precious stanis 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1483.
Bot all the bordour … Was plait of gold … With verteous stanis picht 1513 Id. Æn. i. ix. 133.
The collar pight with orient peirlys als 1513 Ib. iv. v. 160.
A swerd … Of quham the scawbart with brown iasp wes pight a1568 Bannatyne MS 81 b/2. —c1590 J. Stewart 51/131.
Quhilk scho vith perle and pretius stonis pycht
b. Of a person: To array or apparel (splendidly). Only in Alex. (Taym.).c1460 Alex. (Taym.) (ed.) 393.
He was … lyke ane lord quhan he was proudlie pycht c1460 Ib. MS. 13818.
Porrus in his arrey was proudly picht
