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.
‡PLAINT, n., v. Also plent. Sc. form and usages:
I. n. A complaint, protest, grievance; a lamentation, an expression of distress or grief (Bnff., Ags. 1966). Now only poet. in Eng. Phr. to mak plent o', to complain about, = II.Ayr. 1787 Burns Ordination xi.:
Common-Sense is gaun, she says, To mak to Jamie Beattie Her plaint this day.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 100:
Nanny Polique frae Auchinmade would mak plent o' Merryhigen her neebor.Abd. 1901 Wkly. Free Press (18 May):
The 'plaints o' his tenants didna seem tae reach him.
†II. v., intr. with of, (up)on, or absol. To complain (of, about), find fault (with) (‡Sc. 1808 Jam.). Obs. in Eng. in 16th c.Peb. 1715 A. Pennecuik Works (1815) 385:
Cooks and kailwives baith refus'd him, Because he plainted of their dish.Per. 1766 A. Nicol Poems 40:
Shame light upon your calf-like face That plaints on me, when I'm from thee.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 89:
Ye needna plaint upon your muse.
