Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MAISTLINS, adv. Also maistleens, mastlins. Cf. Eng. dial. mostlings.

1. Almost, well nigh (I.Sc., Per. 1962).Edb. 1816 J. Aikman Poems 45:
Wha never think their day's begun Till yours an' mine is maistlins run.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 153:
Sir Tullidaff, that lay down-knocket, Was maistlins smother't up, and chokit.Per. 1857 J. Stewart Sketches 170:
But fell, an' maistlins smashed my harns.Ags. 1884 Brechin Advert. (15 Jan.) 3:
While the readin o' the chapter has maistlins become a thing o' the past.Lnk. 1890 H. Muir Rutherglen 55:
I was maistlin's forgettin' to tell ye.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 317:
Like whit anither ald Orknaman afore me day maistlins deud.Sh. 1930 Shetland Almanac 194:
Maistleens every peerie schield 'at we met frae Skibbadock in, edder ast fir a schowe ir a match.

2. For the most part, mostly (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).