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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RATH, adj. Now poet. or dial. in Eng.

1. Early, soon, premature.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxxix.:
Laying his head in a rath grave.

2. Early in the day, season, etc.Slk. 1832 Hogg Poems (1865) 339:
Beginning thy rath orisons here.Kcb. 1898 Crockett Standard-Bearer:
The young ardour of the spring and the rath summer time.

[O.Sc. rath, quickly, Mid.Eng. rathe, O.E. hræd, quick, hræðe, quickly, soon. For another development of the word, see Redd, adj.]

21972

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