Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
INLAT, n. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. inlet:
1. An inlet, an entrance, avenue (Bnff., Abd., Ags., Slg., Fif. 1958), a small side-road or lane.Wgt. 1816 G. Fraser Sketches (1877) 84:
To charge a groat for going round the Square, and up the vennels, and inlets into the town.
2. Encouragement, concession. opportunity, welcome (Abd., Ags., Fif., Lnk., Kcb. 1958).Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings I. 28:
This prostituting of what they professed to believe as sacred, and holy Time, was an Inlet to that fearful Wickedness.Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 55:
Fan ye gie nae inlat to sic' stories you're clear i' the head frae them.Abd. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 62:
He's a nickum, ilka inch o'm, for ‘is cantrips arena mowse, Fegs, an' gie 'im ony inlat, he'll gyang fairly throwe the bowes.
