Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MOTE, v.1 Also mot. Arch.
1. May, as an aux. v., esp. in expressions wishing one well or ill. Poet. Now obs. in Eng. Cf. Mat, v.Sc. 1775 Outlaw Murray in Child Ballads No. 305 A. xx.:
God mot thee save, brave Outlaw Murray, Thy ladie and a' thy chivalrie!Slk. 1818 Hogg Hunt of Eildon (1874) v.:
Lang may our king look, An' sair mot he rue.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 138:
O fair mot fa' his body!Knr. 1895 J. L. Robertson Dunbar 84:
Saint Francis, loving be thee till, An' thankit mote thou be for thy gudewill.
2. Might.Sc. c.1783 King Henry in Child Ballads No. 35 v.:
Her middle ye mot wel span.Sc. 1787 W. Taylor Poems 106:
A colt . . . Yode to a herd o' jet black nowt, That he mote lear their artfu' rowt.Edb. 1884 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) VIII. 171:
There lived ae ancient Dominie As learned and crabbed as mote be.
