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.
ONCAST, n., v. Also on-kast (Jak.).
I. n. 1. The first row of loops in knitting, the casting on of a row of loops (Ayr. 1880 Jam.; I.Sc., Ags., Arg. 1964).
2. A sudden attack of illness or of some misfortune, supposedly from supernatural causes (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1964).Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 175:
The Oncast is that terrible look with which a witch freezes the life-blood of some one she hates.Sh. 1947 New Shetlander (June–July) 2:
An oncast is a plague or visitation from above or below.
3. In mining: coal in situ, which still has to be hewn from its seam.m.Lth. 1770 Session Papers, State of Process, Henry v. Clark 30:
That what he means by the oncast three fathom distance, is the coal which remained to be wrought off up to the through-strike.
II. v. To begin knitting by casting on a row of stitches (Ayr. 1880 Jam.; Ork. 1964).
[ON-, pref.1, + Cast, v.]
