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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

A WAIT', AWAT, AW WAT, AWITE, AWYTE, adv. phr. (orig. = I know) in truth, I'm sure, assuredly, really, indeed. Cf. Atweel. [ə′wɑt Sc. but ne.Sc. + ə′wəit (see P.L.D. § 126.2); ə′wet s.Sc. + æ, ɒ]

1. Form a wait.Sc. a.1802 The Laird o Logie in Ballads ed. Child (1904) No. 182 a, xii.:
Carmichael turnd him round about, A wait the salt tear blint his eye.Sc. a.1830 James Hatley in Ballads ed. Child (1904) No. 244 a, ii.:
James Hatley was in prison strong, A wait he was condemned to die.

2. Form awat, aw wat.Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xl.:
Heard you! Aw wat, aw heard ye!Abd.(D) 1920 C. Murray In the Country Places 32:
The herd may lauch at the laads wi' their lowin' een, But ye'll seen hae him i' the branks wi' the lave, awat.Abd.(D) 1928 W. Robbie Mains of Yonderton 54:
Things cudna be better than they are. Na, na, awat, I've nae rizzen t' compleen.

3. Form awite, awyte.Bnff.⁶ c.1920:
Awite, really. “Awite it was.”Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales (1908) 60:
Ballater, awyte! umph!Abd. 1995 Flora Garry Collected Poems 45:
An awyte it's nae exactly plizzent
To watch yer neeps turn blae an wizzent...

4. In phr. weel awite, — awyte, weil aa wat, lit. “well I know,” assuredly. Cf. aweel-a-wat and Eng. (arch.) well I wot.Bch.(D) 1926 P. Giles in Abd. Univ. Rev. (March) 112:
Weel awyte wis't fyles.s.Sc. 1873 Murray D.S.C.S. 217:
Weil aa wàt, full well I know.