Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PENULT, adj. Last but one, second-last, penultimate. Orig. in Sc. usage, referring to the day of the month. Later applied in extended contexts in Eng.Sc. 1702 Rules and Constitutions Maiden-Hospital 6:
Upon the said penult Munday of October yearly.Inv. 1742 Inverness Kirk Sess. Rec. (Mitchell 1902) 254:
Lachlan McIntosh, Laird of McIntosh, his penult Predecessor.Sc. 1762 Kames Element. Crit. II. 413:
In the penult line the proper place of the musical pause is at the end of the fifth syllable.Sc. 1838 in T. Reid Works II. 690:
The penult note applies to these.
