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, v. “To depreciate. A slaitin tongue, a tongue that depreciates others” (w.Lth. 1808 Jam.).
[Hardly conn. with Eng. slate, to criticise harshly, which is of later appearance, but more likely from obs. Eng. slate, to bait with dogs, to set a dog on one. Found in O.Sc. in fig. sense, to beset, assail, 1400.]
