Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

ALENTH, Alength, A'len'th, adv. Onward, forward, chiefly fig.; advanced (= pred. adj.). [ə′lɛnθ]n.Sc. 1825 Jam.²:
1. To come alenth, to arrive at maturity. 2. To gae far alenth, to go great lengths. 3. To be far alenth, to be far advanced, to make great progress or improvement.Abd.(D) 1882 W. Alexander Life Among My Ain Folk 161:
I thocht it richt to let you ken afore I gaed forder a-len'th.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Chron. Keckleton (2nd ed.) 130:
I thocht weel to speak to John on the subject afore the maitters sud gang further alength.Abd.¹⁵ 1928:
We hinna won far alenth yet wi' the shauvin.