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.
SLITE, v., n. Also slyte. Pa.t. slate, slait. Pa.p -slitten as in unslitten (Kcb. 1902 Crockett Dark o' the Moon i.), also in n.Eng. dial. and associated with the weak v. slit. [sləit]
I. v. 1. To slit, rip up, split, freq. of sewing (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk., Lnk., sm. and s.Sc. 1970).Sc. 1841 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 288:
I sewed a pair o' sheets, and I slate them.Rxb. 1958:
Slite oot the hem.
2. To make sharp, whet (Lth., Lnk. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1765 Gil Morrice in Child Ballads (1956) II. 273:
Now he has drawn his trusty brand, And slaited [= slait it] on the strae.Sc. a.1800 Johnnie Scott in Child Ballads (1956) IV. 491:
Johnny drew forth his good braid glaive And slate it on the plain.
II. n. An act of slitting or ripping, a tear, rending (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[O.Sc. slait, pa.t., slit, 1536, O.E. slītan, O.N. slíta, id.]
