Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1712, 1774-1884
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LATE, adj., n. Sc. phrs.: 1. at late, i' the late, at a late hour, late in the evening; 2. late of, with the gerund: late in, tardy in (doing something). Gen.Sc. For of = on, a-, see O, prep., and cf. Lang, I. 5.1. Ags. 1794 W. Anderson Piper 11:
The morn at late, that dreary hour, Fan spectres grim begin their tour.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 59:
For aft at Allan's i' the late They drank a cosy gill.2. Sc. 1774 Weekly Mag. (24 Feb.) 272:
One day the man was rather late of appearing.Sc. 1800 A. Carlyle Autobiog. (1860) 471:
We were very late of dining for that period.Sc. a.1814 J. Ramsay Scot. and Scotsmen (1888) II. 176:
Lady Sarah was rather late of making her appearance.Sc. 1849 M. Oliphant M. Maitland ix.:
She was not in the room, being aye rather late of rising in the morning.
Deriv. latesome, †letsome, adj., adv., late; tardy, hesitating, drawling. Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1712 Fountainhall Decisions II. 705:
For a long time before his death he was turned hard of hearing, and somewhat slow and letsome in his tongue.Sc. 1847 Whistle-Binkie (1890) II. 200:
We've dandered baith latesome and early.