Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1806-1825
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COAST, COOST, COIST, Cuist, n.2 [kost, kust, kyst]
†1. The side of the body. Coast has been obs. in this sense in Eng. since 17th cent. (N.E.D.).Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Pop. Ballads I. 346:
And round and round about Dushit him coist and bak.
2. "Bodily girth or frame" (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., coast; also Keb.9 1936). Jam.2 and Watson give also the form cuist.Rxb. 1825 Jam.2:
"He has a gude coost," he is strong-bodied.
