Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SCLIT, n. Also sclute, sclutt, sklu(i)t. In Coal-mining: slaty or fissile coal, coaly blaes (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 57; Fif., Lnk. 1969); in limestone rock: a clayey stratum. Adj. sclitty, sclutty, of the nature of sclit (Id.). [sklɪt]Lnk. 1793 D. Ure Rutherglen 293:
Sclutt, soft and coarse till.Fif. 1814 Farmer's Mag. (May) 164:
The two uppermost strata (nicknamed sclute and dirt-leaf) are so contaminated with clay.Lnk. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 VI. 78:
A substance here called Sklut, which, though unable to withstand the influence of the sun or the action of the atmosphere, which soon crumbles it to pieces, resists the operation of fire: hence they are generally employed for building the sides of kilns in which the lime is burned.Fif. 1875 A. Burgess Poute 64:
The skluits — the stuff kaad koll — is Brunt.Gsw. 1920 Memoirs Geol. Survey Scot. 61:
The next, under the name of Rough or Cherry Coal, represents the Sclutty (or Slaty) of Cowglen.Fif. 1934 Econ. Geol. Fife Coalfields II. 82:
The lower half is of poor quality and contains several ‘sclitty' bands.
