A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1456-1590, 1683
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Moist, a. Also: moiste, moyst(e, moste, must. Superl. moystast. [ME. (Chaucer, Piers Plowman, etc.) and e.m.E. moist(e, moyst(e, e.m.E. also mowest (1529), north. e.m.E. moste (Cath. Angl.), OF. moiste (mod. F. moîte).]
1. Moist, damp, humid.In Hay, also with allusion to medieval physiology and the theory of cardinal humours. 1456 Hay II. 118/29.
Gif he be calde and moyst he suld have hate and dry metis 1456 Ib. 123/6.
Wald thou ete first the maist dryand metis and syne the moystast 1456 Ib. 128/33.
[Spring] is lyknit to the ayre for caus that it is hate and moiste 1456 Ib. 129/11.
Spedefull till have the wambe than moyste and laxative 1456 Ib. 140/8.
Na the wynis that growis in playne landis or moystis 1456 Ib. 118/22, 119/2, 3, 132/17. 1513 Doug. v. ix. 66.
This schaft, fleand in the moyst ayr, Brynt in a bles c1580-90 Rules of Health.
Keip … that ȝe maik not lang … habitatioun in a moist or humyde place 1683 Reid Sc. Gard'ner 94.
If the ground be cold and moist, add pigeons dung(b) 1513 Doug. vi. iii. 87.
Vprays thai [doves] swyftly and in the moste ayr Flaw furth(c) 1513 Doug. vi. vii. 78.
By gowsty placis, welch savorit, must [v.r. moist] and hair
2. Liquid, wet. 1456 Hay II. 138/3.
Water is of his nature calde and moyste a1500 Lancelot of the Laik 61.
The most schowris, As cristoll terys withhong vpone the flouris c1520-c1535 Nisbet III. 288.
[To] lefe blessing eftir him, sacrifice and moist sacrifice to our Lord God
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"Moist adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/moist_adj>
