Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DELT, Dilt, v., n.
I. v. To fondle, to pet, to spoil (a child); commonly found in ppl.adj. deltit, diltit, 1. petted, spoilt (Mry.1 1925, Mry. 1949 (per Abd.27); Bnff.2 1940; Abd. 1825 Jam.2; Abd.6 1913; Abd.9 1940); “treated with great care and attention for the prevention of any possible injury” (Bnff. 1825 Jam.2); †2. hid from public view, retiring; used of one devoted to a literary life (Ayr. 1825 Jam.2).1. Cai. 1776 Weekly Mag. (25 Jan.) 146:
Ah! weary fa That dorty deltit dame, America!Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 167:
The delting look, the dawting arm, Are a' forgot and gane.Mry. 1928 W. E. C. Clarke W.-L.:
He wis aye deltit.Abd.5 1931:
A diltit craitur, fair browdent on its midder.2. Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums xix.:
Here have I been deltit noo for sax weeks and mair wi' my papers.
II. n. A fondle, cuddle, caress. Dim. deltie. Mry. 1932 E. Gilbert Spindrift 14:
Noo I'm in ower, wi' a last deltie gien, An' warm happit up tae the pow.
