A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1608-1651
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(Spete-staff,) Speit-staf(f, n. Also: speat- and -stalff, -stave. [Spet(e n. and Staf(f n.] A sharp-pointed staff (Staf(f n. 2). — 1608 Wedderb. Compt Bk. 104.
Sent out with William Renkyn to Spane ten bollis beir … 4 pistollatis … a speit staf and carvet wark thairon to sell this 1613 Edinburgh Testaments XLVII 342b.
Ane speit staff price thrie pundis 1624 Edinburgh Testaments LII 255b.
Ane littill speit staff pryce vj l. xiij s. iiij d. 1627 Edinburgh Testaments LIV 117.
Ane speit staff, ane craige peice 1631 Edinburgh Testaments LV 42b.
Ane pik and ane partesin speit stalff a1651 Calderwood VII 246.
The provest, baillies, and counsell, and a number of citizens, arrayed in gownes, and others standing with speat staves, receaved him at the port
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"Spete-staff n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/spete_staff>
