Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WRAT, n. Also wratt (Sc. 1729 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) IV. 96), rat (Fif. 1899 Proc. Philos. Soc. Gsw. XXXI. 44); rawt (Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 87), wraught (Ayr. 1891 H. Johnston Kilmallie II. 89); wrait (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Sc. met. forms of Eng. wart (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 37; Lnl. 1772 Edb. Ev. Courant (22 Aug.); Sc. 1808 Jam., Kcb. 1901 R.Trotter Gall. Gossip 126; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; m., s.Sc. 1974). Hence wrattie, adj., warty, having warts (Sc. 1825 Jam.), wrattiness, a warty condition (Cld. Ib.). Combs. (w)rat-weed, -wort, the sun-spurge, Euphorbia helioscopia, the juice of which was used in folk-medicine as a cure for warts (Rxb. 1923 Watson W. B.). Also in Eng. dial.
[O.Sc. wrett, 1610, wrat, 1629, E.M.E. wratte, id. For sim. met. forms cf. M.L.Ger. wratte, Du. wrat.]
