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.
GRIST, n.1, v.1 Sc. extensions of Eng. grist, corn for grinding. See also Girst.
¶I. n. 1. The miller's fee for grinding corn (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Æneis s.v. multure). This meaning is doubtful.
2. Wealth, possessions in gen. (Fif.17 1954).
II. v. “To grind and dress grain” (Sc. 1825 Jam.). ¶Also fig. = to grind with the teeth, to eat with gusto.Dmf. 1897 in D. W. Brown Clydeside Litterateurs 174:
Wha baked the Scones — I needna' spier! They grace wi' credit any New-Year, And every time I toast yer cheer I grist a new ane.
Deriv. grister, “one who brings grain to be ground at a mill” (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
[O.Sc. has grist, from 1472, corn to be ground, corn after grinding.]
