Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
METTIN, n. 1. An ear or grain of corn or barley (Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc. 1962).Ork. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iv. 182:
And though the straw seemed a very open bed for the oats. such was the care exercised in turning and handling it that scarcely a mettin was lost in the kiln.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
I hae no wan mettin tae gae the hens.Ork. 1951 R. Rendall Ork. Variants 18:
Aa' through the barn the mettins spret Lik' sparks fae a smiddy fire.
2. A small morsel or particle, esp. of food (I.Sc. 1962).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He hadno tasted a metin or møllin a' day.
