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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.

†DINT, n.¹ Also dent, daint, and dinto, denta, dainta.

1. Affection, liking, regard (Abd. 1825 Jam.², denta; Abd.⁴ 1933, daint; Ags. 1808 Jam., dent). Gen. used with o(f) = for. Also phr. to tyne dent (of a person or thing), “to lose the regard one formerly had for the object” (Ags. 1808 Jam.).Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherd (S.T.S. 1938) l. 361:
But soon lost dinto of her sareless tales.Abd. publ. 1867 Mrs Allardyce Goodwife at Home xii.:
She tuke a dint o' fleerishin.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 27:
Wer't na for it [water] the bonny lasses Would . . . soon tine dint o' a' the graces.

2. Used as a term of endearment = dear one.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 14:
Ay, heary quo' she now but that's awa'; Dainta, quo he, let never warse befa'.