Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Aucht, n.¹ Also: acht, aught. [Northern ME. auht, auȝt, aght, aȝt, early ME. ahte, eihte, OE. ǽht.]

1. That which is owned or possessed by one; possession(s), property. a1400 Leg. S. vi. 399.
Vndirstandynge is the aucht, That may be schawit or ellis tacht 1513 Doug. iii. ii. 140.
Assyngnand ilkane propir howsis and aucht a1598 Ferg. Prov. 20.
Better saucht with little aucht, nor care with many kow

b. An article of property. See also best aucht. a1568 Flemyng in Bann. MS. 160 b/41.
Ane evill wyfe is the werst aucht That ony man can haif

2. The fact of owning or possessing. 1423 Reg. Great S. 11/2.
Twa forestar stedis … wyth al rycht merkis and marchys that thaim awch tyl haff off ald acht and custumis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxi. 57.
Gif that I die ȝour aucht within, Latt nevir the soutteris have my skin Ib. 69.
In my aucht 1590 Crim. Trials I. 213.
Saying, her sone sould be schort quhyle in her aucht; as he died within a schort space thairefter a1598 Ferg. Prov. 60.
In some mens aught mon the auld horse die