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: 1715-1824, 1897-1935
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MAIST, adv.2 Almost. Gen.Sc. Aphetic form of Amaist, q.v. Maista in 1759 quot. represents a reduced form of maist had. [mest]Sc. 1715 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 72:
A Kebbuck syn that 'maist could creep.Sc. 1740 Scots Mag. (Oct.) 462:
That ane to see them 'maist would think That we'd been taking better drink.Abd. 1759 F. Douglas Rural Love 17:
I makna doubt the airy foel Who maista danc'd you dead at youl. Wad please ye mair.Ayr. 1788 Burns My Hoggie ii.:
And maist has kill'd my hoggie.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Letter xi.:
Something flees at him wi' a vengeance, maist dang him back ower.Rxb. 1897 J. C. Dibdin Border Life 75:
An' Phemy, think shame o' yersel, ye hussy, comin' oot like that wi' maist nae claes on.Kcb. 1912 A. Anderson Surfaceman's Later Poems 231:
I maist forgot, if I should meet Auld frien's o yours upon the street, And should they stop and speer at me, I'll say ye're weel.Sc. 1935 W. D. Cocker Further Poems 36:
"Come oot!" cried Goliath, maist greetin' wi' anger.
