Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLOIT, CLOYT, Clyte, n.² [klɔɪt, klɔɪ̢t Ags., Ayr., Rnf., Kcb.; kləit Bch.]

†1. “A heavy burden” (Ayr. 1811 W. Simpson Gloss. to W. Aiton Gen. View Agric. Ayr. 691). Also fig.Ayr. 1897 T. Dunlop John Tamson's Bairns, etc. 204:
An' his face grows thin and sallow Wi' the bitter clytes o' care.

2. A dull, heavy person; “a clown, a stupid inactive fellow” (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Abd.², Ags.¹, Kcb.¹ 1936). Also found in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).Bch. 1928 (per Abd.¹⁵):
He's a lazy clyte, yon cheel.Ags. 1892 Arbroath Guide (23 July) 3/7:
Od, Marg'et, I've heard her man say that she's a real saft cloit.Ayr.⁴ 1928:
He's naethin but a muckle cloyt.