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.
Quotation dates: 1438, 1540, 1606-1610
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(Swety,) Suetie, Sweitie, Sweat(t)y, adj. [ME and e.m.E. swety (Chaucer), sweatie (Spenser), swettie (1600); Swet(e n.2] a. Physically demanding, strenuous. Cf. Swet(e n.2 4. b. Covered, or stained, with sweat. —a. 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
He did punishe … Adam with the care and sweatty labours of this militant lyfe —b. ?1438 Alex. i 3102.
Thare mycht men se … The chaissaris streik … mony ane hors that sweaty war c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 82.
Thare sweitie theis, Begairit all with dirt and dust 1610 Rec. Old Aberd. I 49.
For miscalling of the said Alexander Forbes baillie be calling of him suetie hatt, clipit brecis [etc.]
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"Swety adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/swety>
