Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
POUST, n.1, v.1 Also poost, powst, post. [pust, pʌust]
I. n. Strength, vigour, power, force (Sc. 1808 Jam.; ‡Ags. 1911, powst; Ork. 1929 Marw., poost; s.Sc. 1966).Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales I. 291:
There's no a lover that I hae, but I ken his poust to a hair.Sc. 1841 Whistle-Binkie 114:
They kent na the brose o' auld Scotland, The poust that's in Scottish kail-brose.Fif. 1846 W. Tennant Muckomachy 35:
Through the ranks rushing Wi' poust and pushing.Bwk. 1876 W. Brockie Leaderside Legends 34:
The victors staggered like men drunk, Their powst was near hand gane.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Ee mann gie'd a bit mair poust, man, ti raise sic a heavy bit o' ern.Sc. 1931 J. Lorimer Red Sergeant xxix.:
Wha cud hae tell't by the poust he pit intill't, that the life-bluid wis drainin' oot o' him?
II. v. Only in ppl.adj. po(u)stit, po(o)stit, posted, lit., drained of strength or virtue, powerless. Hence by extension, not in one's normal state of health or mind, carried away, transported, out of one's senses, spell-bound (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XV. 96, 1866 Edm. Gl., pousted), “suffering severe sickness or excruciating pain” (Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms 32, posted), comb. ill-pousted, in a bad temper (Ork. 1966). Phr. postit wi sickness, incapacitated through illness, “laid up” (Cld. 1825 Jam.); also in curtailed form in comb. post-sick, id. (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).s.Sc. 1898 E. Hamilton Mawkin xxi.:
The thought of Marjorie lying post-sick up Ettrick water.Ork. 1929 Old-Lore Misc. IX. ii. 75:
Hid's paaled miny a ane, foo folk . . . hae been sae mad tae rin sae muckle i' tow wi' da Eenimy is gin dey waar poosted or will i' da hade.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Poosted . . . is used e.g. of a person who overstays himself in a house, sits without having the energy or initiative to get up and go home: “I'm sittan here pousted”.
