Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡FEIST, n., v. Sc. forms and usages of obs. Eng. fist, to break wind, a breaking of wind. [fəist, fɪst]
I. n. 1. “The act of breaking wind in a suppressed manner” (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Abd.27 1925).
2. Fig. (a) “Exertion with little effect” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 45); (b) a weak person (Ib.).
II. v. Fig. “To make exertion with difficulty and with little effect” (Ib.).
[O.Sc. fistand, breaking wind, 1602, E.Mid.Eng. fyste, id., O.E. fīstung as in n. 1. It is uncertain whether the fig. meanings above are from the same word.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Feist n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 8 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/feist>
