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 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Swete,) Suete, Sweit, n.¹ Also: sueit(t, sweet(e. [ME and e.m.E. suete (Cursor M.), swete (Chaucer), sweet (c1440); Swet(e adj.]1. That which is pleasant to the mind, feelings or senses; something that affords enjoyment or gratification.Freq. contrasted with sour, with allusion to Swet(e adj. 1 (also once, ? punningly, with sore, = grief, sorrow).(1) a1500 K. Hart 657.
Quha gustis sweit, and feld nevir of the sowre … How may he seasoun juge? a1585 Maitl. Q. 213/131.
To Thé only I doe my plaint out pour & Ye I thank bayth of the sueit & sour c1590 J. Stewart 126 § 4.
Quho sups the sour, and that vithout desdaine, Is vordiest to haif the sueit at vill c1600 Poem (verso T. Pont) 38.
Great contentment I ay wish And all our sowres translate in sweet 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 14.
To him that hes lost his taist sueitt is sowr 1630 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire II 57.
Thay ar nocht warth the sueit, that may nocht suffer souris(2) c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 182.
Euery wicht his awin suete or sore Has maist in mynde

b. Pleasure, delight (of something). 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2302.
This foirsaid knicht … had slokinnit of bedsolace the sweit

2. Sweetness of nature or disposition, benignity. a1450 Fifteen Ois 158.
O Jesu Crist, the well of sweit 1629 Boyd Last B. (1629) 118.
There is sweete in his glowmes, and loue in his looke, even while hee seemeth to be angrie