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.
†DINT, n.1 Also dent, daint, and dinto, denta, dainta.
1. Affection, liking, regard (Abd. 1825 Jam.2, denta; Abd.4 1933, daint; Ags. 1808 Jam., dent). Gen. used with o(f) = for. Also phr. to tyne dent (of a person or thing), “to lose the regard one formerly had for the object” (Ags. 1808 Jam.).Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherd (S.T.S. 1938) l. 361:
But soon lost dinto of her sareless tales.Abd. publ. 1867 Mrs Allardyce Goodwife at Home xii.:
She tuke a dint o' fleerishin.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 27:
Wer't na for it [water] the bonny lasses Would . . . soon tine dint o' a' the graces.
2. Used as a term of endearment = dear one.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 14:
Ay, heary quo' she now but that's awa'; Dainta, quo he, let never warse befa'.
