A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tait, Tayt, Tate, adj. [ME teyte (c1300), tayt (14th c.), ON teitr. Cf. Tit(e adj.] Active, energetic, lively, nimble; untamed. Also, tait and trig.Recorded as a surname from 1329 (see Black Surnames, s.v. Tait).(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 331.
Fra fute to fute he [sc. the cat] kest hir [sc. the mouse] to and fra, Quhylis vp, quhylis doun, als tait [Ch., H. cant] as ony kyd a1500 Henr. Fab. 1410.
Swa come ane trip off myis out off thair nest Richt tait and trig 1513 Doug. viii x 84.
Abowt hir pappys … The twa twynnys, smal men childer ȝyng, Sportand ful tayt [Sm., Ruddim. tyte] gan to wrabill and hyng 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 183 (Sm.).
Litill lammis Full tait and trig socht bletand to thar dammis a1570-86 Inglis in Maitl. F. 212/49.
Over all the gait so mony theiffis so tait Within this land wes never hard nor sene(b) a1400 Leg. S. iv 328.
For scho had bulis wilde and tate [L. indomitos et silvestres] That scho nocht trewit mycht ȝakkit be In carte
