Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LAST, adj., adv., n.1 Compar. laster, superl. lastest (Abd. 1825 Jam.). Sc. usages. See also Lest. Phrs. and combs.: 1. at last and lang, — length, see Lang, Lenth; 2. (the) last day, the previous day, yesterday, the other day; 3. last-end, the bag or cod-end of a white-fishing net; 4. the last heir, Sc. law: the Crown in its capacity as the heir of a person who dies intestate without known heirs or next of kin, a translation of the more commonly used Latin term Ultimus Haeres, q.v. (Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 575).2. Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 21:
Auld Magy Procter speer'd at me last day.Ayr. 1789 Burns Bruar Water iii.:
Last day I grat wi' spite and teen.Fif. 1864 St Andrews Gazette (30 April):
A person who last day obtained a grocer's certificate.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (20 Aug.):
Sibbie brook me bit o' inseam alishen da last day.Gall. 1999:
A saw him the last day.3. Fif. 1879 G. Gourlay Fisher Life 38:
As he and the crew worked the fishing gear, when, “the last end ” on board, the race began.4. Sc. 1722 W. Forbes Institute I. iii. 58:
Ultimus heres, is a Right by which the King succeeds as last Heir, or rather for want of an Heir.
