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.
MAUTEN, v. Also mawten (Jam.); malten; matten.
1. Of grain or seeds: to germinate, to sprout; to become malt (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Ppl.adj. mautent. Cf. Maut, v.Sc. 1776 Kames Gentleman Farmer 123:
The worst way of all, is to spread the rye-grass on the moist ground; for it makes the seed malten.Fif. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XII. 532:
When barley and common bear have been cultivated, for some time, in a mixed state, they spring, and ripen, and malten equally.Sc. 1814 J. Sinclair Agric. Scot. I. 540:
Without this necessary precaution, the seeds would infallibly grow or malten, and become entirely useless, by losing their power of vegetation.Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 130:
No corn in these years was substantial; all meal black “mattened” and unhealthsome.
2. Of inadequately baked bread: to become tough and heavy (Ags. 1808 Jam.). Ppl.adj. mautent (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
3. Ppl.adj. mautent, mawtent, mattent, fig. applied to a sluggish, inactive person: lazy, weary, worn out, lethargic (Abd., Ags. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1739 Caledonian Mag. (1788) 502:
There tumbl'd a mischievous pair, O' mawtent lolls aboon him.Bch. (St. Combs) 1955:
I'm fair mattent wi' sleep.
