Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TIT, n.3 Also tate, tet. [tɪt, tet]
1. A nipple or teat. Gen.Sc., applied to women as well as animals, and to artificial teats.Ags. 1896 A. Blair Rantin Robin 153:
She began to scutter at the beastie's tits, an' I held on by the goatie's heid.Abd. 1928 J. Baxter A' Ae 'Oo' 31:
The mongrel pup, Fa nott a tit or she could sup!Kcd. 1932 L. G. Gibbon Sunset Song 275:
He coddled up Jock like a pig with a tit.
†2. A mark, of the nature of a small callus or cyst, on the body of a witch, supposedly made by the Devil.Sc. 1705 J. Bell Tryal of Witchcraft 17:
The Witches Mark, sometimes like a blew spot, or a little tate or reid spots like flea biting, sometimes, also, the flesh is sunk in and hallow, and this is put in secret places.