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 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Scant, v. Also: skant, skent. [? ME (once, 1436, if reading correct) and e.m.E. scant (c1553); Scant adj.]

1. intr. To become scarce; to run short. c1475 Wall. viii 980.
Fra fude scantyt na plesance was that tid Ib. xi 35.
In Wallace ost so scantyt the wictaill Thai mycht nocht bid na langar till assaill

2. tr. a. To give out (something) sparingly; to limit (a supply). a1500 Bk. Chess 345.
Had nocht ȝour wyne bene scantit [etc.] a1651 Calderwood III 283.
She, being naturallie needie, skanted the victualls

b. To scant (something) on (a person), to bestow in a niggardly manner. 15.. Clar. iv 958.
No poynt of bewtie nature on hir scantit For scho hir paintit as goddes devine

c. passive. To be scanted of (something), to be inadequately supplied with, to be kept short of. c1650 P. Gordon Brit. Dist. 120.
They fand themselves extremly scanted of powder and ball

3. Of the wind: To hinder (a ship) by not blowing favourably. 1622–3 Mar & Kellie MSS Suppl. 152.
Their purposs was for Deepe, but the wind did skant them soe that thaye warr forced to land at … Bullone