Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†STOUTH, n.1 Also stowth. [stuθ]
1. Theft, stealing, robbery (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Ork. 1700 P. Ork. A.S. (1923) II. 20:
The crymes of Stouth, pyckrie theift and reset of theift.Rxb. 1715 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. XXXII. 127:
Idle and counterfeit people of divers nations, falsely named Egyptians, living on stowth and other unlawful means.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 46:
Some say great geer by stouth and rief, He's filcht frae mony Indian chief.Rxb. 1824 Rymour Club Misc. (1912) II. 50:
Wi' herry and spulzie, wi' raif and wi' stouth.
2. Stealth, furtive or underhand behaviour. Liter. and arch.Sc. 1897 W. Beatty Secretar vi.:
Keeking and hearing by stowth.
