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.
SLAIT, n.1, adj. Also slate.
I. n. A term of abuse for a dirty, slovenly or objectionable person.Sc. 1718 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 68:
Had aff, quoth she, ye filthy slate.Rxb. 1806 J. Hogg Poems 74:
The blether-lipped drunken slate.
II. adj. Slovenly, dirty, indolent (Lnk., Rxb. 1825 Jam.); unpleasant, nasty. Deriv. slaitery, of weather or the like: wet, muddy, unpleasant.Slk. 1829 Hogg Shep. Cal. (1874) iii.:
It's but a slaitery kind o' day this.
