Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WALTH, n. Also wailth (Cai. 1872 M. McLennan Peasant Life 303); welth (Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shep. MS. 79); ¶waith (Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 180) metri causa. Deriv. walthy (Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 119; Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxviii.; m.Sc 1897 A. Rodger Poems 1; Ags. 1945 Scots Mag. (April) 41), walthie (s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell St Matthew xxvii. 57); compar. walthier (Sc. 1827 Scott Croftangry ii.). Sc. forms and usage of Eng. wealth (Cai., Per., wm.Sc. 1973). See P.L.D. § 76.1. As in Eng., but orig. and more freq. in Sc., = abundance, plenty, enough (Sc. 1808 Jam., welth, 1825 Id., walth; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Ags., Ayr. 1973). [wɑlθ, wǫlθ]Ayr. 1787 Burns Epigram at Roslin Inn 3:
Ye've wealth o' gear for spoon and knife.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. vii.:
There's walth o' fat poultry, ready either for spit or brander.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 269:
There's aye walth o' tubs wi' yirnin, and rowth o' barrels in the road.Sc. 1876 S. R. Whitehead Daft Davie 259:
There were walth o' us, and a bonnie splore we kicked up.Lnk. 1881 D. Thomson Musings 217:
There's walth o' room upon the bauks.m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood vii.:
There's walth of guid books here.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 5:
Some o the walthier fairmers had cheenged tae roon bales. Even the squar bales she didna care fur. She cud jist min o the auld-farrant stooks at Clashmore, like Sabbath hauns grippit in prayer at the Kirk.
