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.
KITTIE, n.2 Also kitty. [′kɪte]
1. Prison, gaol, the village lock-up (Bwk., Dmf., Rxb. 1919 T.S.D.C.; Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 13; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Slk., Rxb., Uls. 1960). Also in n.Eng. dial.Slk. 1876 J. Dalgleish W. Wathershanks (1893) 41:
They . . . war baith puttin in the kitty, an' fined seven an' six.Slg. 1910 Scotsman (12 Sept.):
The lock-up was called the “kitty”.Rxb. 1912–19 Rymour Club Misc. II. 197:
Said to a naughty child — You'll fill the Kitty yet. I.e. “Kitty” is the Kelso word for the police station and cells. Of a ne'er-do-well — The Kitty is his chapel.
2. “A large washing-chamber in the town [Jedburgh]'s wash-house” (Rxb. 1919 T.S.D.C.).
[In sense 1., borrowed from n.Eng. dial. and slang. Of doubtful orig., phs. a dim. form of Kit, n.1]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Kittie n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 23 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kittie_n2>
