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.
SOLIST, v., adj. Also salist, sillist. [sə′lɪst]
I. v. To desist, to rest, to “lay off”, to while away time (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971).Sh. 1893 Sinclair MS. 9:
Lowrie begød ta hokk wi lied an salistit no fyl he gat da kyst wi da korp upo da skrøf.Sh. 1928 Shetland Times (14 July) 3:
I feels kinda stented, so lies back ower ta solist.Sh. 1963 New Shetlander No. 67. 35:
Lat me salist in Lerwick, be he sun ir be he snaa.
II. adj. “Laying aside work in the meantime” (Per. 1825 Jam., s.v. Sillist). Sic Jam. but phs. incorrectly defined as an adj. instead of v. above.
[A variant of Eng. solace, †to take recreation, formally confused with O.Sc. solist, to solicit. Solace was stressed on the second syllable in 18th-c. Sc.]
