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.
Quotation dates: 1721, 1774-1796, 1865-1988
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LEST, v., n. Also laist. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. last. [lest, lɛst, s.Sc. læst]
I. v. To last, to endure, to hold out, to stand up to wear and tear (I., n., em. and s.Sc. 1960; Sh., Ork., Bnff., Ags., Dmf., Rxb. 2000s). Common in s.Sc. greeting Hoo're ee lestin, how are you keeping?Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 43:
While our Maggy lests.Sc. 1796 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 55:
Their quality to your ane taste I'm for referrin; Now's the time, as lang's they last.Abd. 1865 G. Macdonald Alec Forbes xci.:
It canna laist for ever.Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 210:
Hallo Johnnie! hoo 'e lestin?Rxb. 1925 Kelso Chron. (13 March) 4:
"Hoo'ree lastin', Maggie?" "Oh, no' that ill."Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 155:
Dis lests ta da 4th. ne.Sc. 1979 Alexander Scott in Joy Hendry Chapman 23-4 (1985) 70:
Sair heid frae here,
sair hert frae outbye thonder
-but whilk will stang
wi the shairper stob,
and whatten a stound
will laist the langer?
Hence adj. lestie, lastie, -y, lasting, durable (I., n., em. and s.Sc. 1960).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 210:
If you be hasty, you'll never be lasty.Ork. 1774 Caled. Mercury (13 Aug.):
The peats taken out of it are uncommonly solid, heavy and lasty in the fire.Sc.(E) 1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah xl. 20:
Wha-sae canna fa' siclike, he wales a bit lastie timmer.m.Lth.1 1960:
A lestie sweetie — one that dissolves slowly in the mouth.m.Sc. 1988 William Neill Making Tracks 21:
thare's nae licht in onie lift kin steal
the lang ladin o a lastie wae.
II. n. Durability, ability to last (Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Fif., m.Lth. 1960).Abd. 1904 Weekly Free Press (9 April):
They buy sic flimrikins o' things 't hae nae laist.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick iii.:
A gran' wurker wi plinty o' ca throwe an' laist in 'im.
