Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡FOUNDIT, n. Also foundet, -ed, foondit; fundit. Reg. with neg., (not) the least little bit, (not) a particle, atom, thing (Gall. 1952). [′fu:ndɪt]Sc. 1824 Sam. Macaree's Ghaist 8:
Here down I fell to kiss his feet, But fiend a foundit could I find.Uls. 1858 Uls. Jnl. Archæol. VI. 43:
Why a woman's kep throttin' behine ye, till she can't do a turn, nor a foundet.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin viii.:
Withoot sayin' ought or foondit aboot it.Ags. 1879 Arbroath Guide (12 April):
Lizzie lyin' in her bed . . . no able to look after a fundit.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 122:
From owre mony of them I never to this day have gotten a foondit.Cai. 1900 E.D.D.:
'Er isna founded in 'e hoos.Kcb.9 1936:
The doctor's been at him three times an' he's no yae foondit better.
Hence, by extension of the neg. force to foundit, phr. foundit hate, not a blessed thing (Bwk. 1825 Jam.). See Haet.Kcb.4 c.1900:
As is said of a destitute bodie, “Foundit hate he has.”