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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AFOUTH, A'FOUTH, A FOUTH, adj.  (grammar obscure; see etym. note). In abundance. See Fouth.Abd.(D) c.1750 R. Forbes Journal from London, etc. (1767) 14:
Bat the leave o' the gentles wis drinkin wine a'fouth.
Abd. 1759 F. Douglas Rural Love 3:
Twa hunder marks he had to gie 'er, Brought men and lads afouth to see 'er.
Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 5:
We've words a fouth, that we can ca' our ain, Tho' frae them now my childer sair refrain.
Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 150:
Accept this hint then, blooming youth, While bonny teeth you boast a fouth.

[Perhaps like a plenty, a many, where a is the article, and the phr. is used in appos.; but a may be for on or at; cf. 1535 Stewart Cron. Sc. III. 509: of neidfull thing weill furneist all at fouth (quot. in N.E.D.)]

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