Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SLUTE, n. Also sloot; sluit. [Ork., Cai. slut; sm.Sc. sløt]
1. A slovenly, sluggish fellow (Fif. (sluit, slute), Lth., Dmf. (sloot) 1825 Jam.; Ork., Cai., Ayr., Kcb. 1970), a loafer; a slow, lazy animal (Lth. 1825 Jam.). Adj. slutie, slovenly (Sc. 1880 Jam.).Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 133:
Whether the sauls o' sic black slutes 'ill gang tae heaven or hell.Peb. 1836 J. Affleck Poems 131:
Drucken slute, that I sud say sae, Ever prodigal of time.
2. A glutton, gormandiser (Lnk. 1825 Jam.).
[O.Sc. slute, slatternly, c.1500, sluit, a sloven, a.1657, prob. related to Eng. slut, but the phonology is unclear.]
