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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.

Thiftwis(e, Thifteous, Thefteous, adj. Also: thiftuis, thiftu(o)us, -(o)us, -ewus, -eouse, -i(o)us, thyftwis, -uys, -us, theftuo(u)s, -us, theifteous. [Thift n. Cf. Thevishe adj.]

1. a. Of the nature of theft, thievish.(a) 14.. Reg. Maj. c. 147.
Giff ony man be chalangit of thyftuys thing 1491–2 Reg. Privy S. I 2.
For the thiftwis owt puttin and awaytakin of the gudis of … George Campbele 1500 Acta Conc. II 453.
For the thiftwise steling of Jhone Calff Inglisman fra the sadis Wilyeam and Adam furth of the burgh of Drumfreis 1510 Reg. Privy S. I 331/1.
Thiftuis 1518 Fife Sheriff Ct. 135.
Thiftuis 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 217.
Thyftwis 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 37.
Thiftus c1540 Kennedy Aberd. Ann. I 73.
Thiftous 1555 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 15 Oct.
Thyftus 1575 Reg. Privy S. VII 43/2.
Thiftuus 1661 Lanark B. Rec. 187.
The baillies and counsell having taken tryell … of the thiftious fackes of cornes and kell committit(b) 1502 Reg. Privy S. I 117/1.
A precept of remissioun to Alexander Stewarte for the thiftewus distruction of Johne Mans gudis the tyme he lay with his wife 1562 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 25 Aug.
Thiftius 1567 Acts III 32/1.
That nane tak assurance … of the said theuis or pay thame blak maill or gif thame meit, drink, resset [etc.] … in thair thifteous deidis 1568–9 Reg. Privy S. VI 108/1.
For airt and pairt of the thiftious stouth and reif of certane cattell, scheip [etc.] 1583 Reg. Privy S. VIII 202/1.
For the thifteous outputting of certane guidis … and for uther thifteous pointis contenit in the ditta 1594 Misc. Spald. C. II 128.
Ane … outputter of leill menis geir in thifteous maner(c) 1524 Cant Hist. Perth II 66.
John Hutchison … banished … for the theftuous stealling certain wool 1561 Crim. Trials I i 411.
Thefteous 1564–5 Crim. Trials I i 458.
Delatit of the theftuos breking of ane bonet-kaise 1589–90 Lanark B. Rec. 96.
For the theftus steling of ane guis, quhilk scho eit in William Clarksones 1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V 281.
Theifteous

b. Of goods: Obtained by theft, stolen. 1574–5 Prestwick B. Rec. 76.
The inqueist hes clengit Villiam Vylȝe of the ressait of the thiftuous geir

c. Underhand, dishonourable. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 189/7.
Hunting … uith rinning houndis … is the maist honorabill & noblest sorte … for it is a thifteouse [1599 thieuishe, 1603 theeushe] forme of hunting to shoote uith gunnis & bowis

2. Of the nature of thieves; given to theft. 1632 Lithgow Trav. (1906) 363.
The Hungarians have ever beene thiftuous treacherous and false