Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TACHT, adj. Also taght. Sc. . forms and usages of Eng. taut. [tɑxt]
1. Tight, tense, close, stretched out, tightened (n.Sc. 1808, Sc. 1825 Jam.; Cai. 1905 E.D.D.; ‡I. and n.Sc. 1972). Hence tachten, to tighten (Sh. 1972).Ags. a.1823 G. Beattie Poems (1882) 196:
Ilk tendon, taght like thairm.
2. Of persons: (1) strict, severe (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.). Rare in Eng.; (2) proud or standoffish (Bnff. 1958).
[Appar. a Sc. variant of Mid.Eng. taught, toȝt, tight, distended, of uncertain orig.]
