A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Twelter aith(e, -ayth, n. [ON tylftar-eiðr.] In Shetland: An oath of twelve compurgators. For further information see Saxter-aithe n. and W. Douglas Simpson (ed.) The Viking Congress 1950 (1954) pp. 105-6. Cf. Lawricht-aith(e n. —1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 9.
To quyt himselff of the ressett of the said stowth [of corn] with the twelter aithe becaus he hes failyeit twyse the lawrycht aithe 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 26.
For the stowth of ane lamb … quhairof he failyeit quittance as also the twelter ayth of befoir 1603 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 66.
And becaus ather of them wes reprovit of thift of befoir thairfoir thai ar decernit to quyt themselffis with the twelter aithe and failyeing thairof to pay xii merkis to the king 1603 Peterkin Orkney & Zetl. App. 35.
In the Lawting Court … one is ordained to quit himsel of theft by the twelter-aith, because the stowth is great; and another to quit himself of the same theft with the saxter-aith only, in respect of his minority
