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.
Spot, Spott, v. P.p. also spotten. [ME and e.m.E. spotte (Hoccleve), spot (1502); Spot n.] tr.
1. passive. Of a person: To be stained in character with, of the accusation or disgrace of an offence, etc. Also, once, of a person's ways.(1) 1570 Leslie 167.
He … so farr abhorrit pride and arrogance that he was ever sharpe … to thame quhilk were spottit or notit with that crime 1589 Reg. Privy C. IV 393.
Honnest wemen … spoted at na tyme with sic ungodlie practizeis [sc. witchcraft, etc.] 1594 Reg. Privy C. V 183.
His majestie intendis to proceid … aganis sic personis as ar spotit with the cheif pointis of tressoun 1602 Misc. Spald. C. I 104.
Ye … may proceid to the mareage, swa being that scho be nocht spottit nor giltie of na odious cryme and offence 1617 Chron. Perth 77.
James Blyth … was admonished to abstain from excess of drinking, wherewith he has been found oftimes spotted(2) c1590 J. Stewart 230 § 120.
Vith curssitnes ȝour bittir mouth is blot, And all ȝour vayis vith vickit vyce is spot
b. active. Of infamy: To stain (a person's character).1600 Acts IV 213/2.
The infamie justlie inflictit to the giltie sall nocht spott sic of his subiectis as ar innocent of the saidis treassones
2. To stain (something) with spots of a substance.1600-1610 Melvill 69.
He … drawes the bluid athort his face, and spots his clothes with the saming
3. passive. Of (part of) an animal: (To be) marked with spots.1494 Loutfut MS 16a.
The leopart … is spottit with mony colouris c1500 Rowll Cursing 220 (M).
Sum with … tyger tungis attour thair berdis lyk blaudis of longis Spottit and sprutit vp and doun
4. ? To cause spots as in sense 2 of the noun or ? to be recognised or detected.1605 Aberd. B. Rec. II 265.
Inrespect the … pestilence is brackin vp and spotten againe in Edinburgh and Leyth … that [etc.]
