Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPITE, n., v. Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A disappointment, a cause for annoyance, grief, vexation (Abd., Ayr. 1971). Obs. in Eng.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 8:
I maun juist warsle awa with the ga' and the spite of this curmurrin' of a calamity.m.Lth. 1897 P. H. Hunter J. Armiger 163:
Nae dou't it's a spite to a man, no' to get the lass he's set his heart on.Sh. 1898 “Junda” Klingrahool 18:
The poor soul had to sell her shawl, — Was forced to go where'er she might To hide from view her shame and spite.

2. In deriv. adv. spitefully, despite all one's restraining efforts. Rare.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 287:
The troot A huik't tuik up the water spitefully.

II. v. To scorn, despise (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).