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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1908-1951

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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.

[Vbl.n. from Sh. Norn met, of corn: to form seed, to swell in the ears, Norw. dial. mata, id., from mat, food. The vowel has prob. been altered under the influence of Sc. Meat, q.v.]

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