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.
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.
