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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.

Ticht, adj. Also: tycht, thicht, thycht, tight, tyght, teght, tuht. [ME and e.m.E. tyght (1428-9), thyht (Prompt. Parv.) solid, whole, thyght (1539) close-textured, tight (1576), ON þéttr tight, water-tight, close in texture, solid, Norw. tjett, tett, WFris. ticht, MDu., MLG dicht. Cf. Thik adj.]

1. Impervious, impenetrable, close-textured; without holes or damage, in good repair. See also Wattirticht adj. and windticht Wynd n.¹ 5 C (1).(a) 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 1362.
This gudelie carwell … Richt souer, ticht and wonder stranglie beildit 1513 Doug. v v 30.
A habirgyon of byrnyst mailȝeis … clowit thrynfald ful tycht [Ruddim. ticht] 1533 Boece Proheme 4.
As caruell tycht fast tending throw the see Levys na prent 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I 264.
[The Marie of Leith … was run on shore for safety … remaining] tycht & unbrokin a1568 Sempill in Sat. P. xlvi 4.
Quhat pylett takis my schip in chairge Mon hald hir clynlie, trym, and ticht 1577 Glasgow B. Rec. (MC) 88.
Ten hogheids blawin and ticht 1587-99 Hume 55/100.
Ticht haberschons 1600 Conv. Burghs II 83.
That thair airmour may be haldin ticht and fund in ane reddynes quhen the occasioun sall requyre 1612 Conv. Burghs II 366.
Twa lang laich hoyes, flattbottomit, close owerclositet and ticht, for preserving the guids fra rayne 1613 Conv. Burghs II 390.
[To] build twa or thrie boates … flatt bottomit, covered and overlappit, ticht vnder and above(b) 1478 Grey Friars II 15.
That to be disponyit for to kepe the said almouse house thycht 1501 Treas. Acc. II 24.
For vij pund of rosait to mak the clath thicht, xiiij d.(c) 1513 Doug. ix ii 64.
Lyke as … The wild wolf … Abowt the bowght plet all of wandis tyght Brays and gyrnys 1640 Articles and Ordinances of Warre 10.
All shall come also with compleat and tight armes 1672 M. Bruce Rattling Dry Bones 38.
To make the wal the more tight, ere ever He build the sydwall, He will make the louse stones fall out 1673 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 8 Jan.
Twa ferrie boats tight and waterfast 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X 269.
The platforme of the Parliament houss is not clean and tight as it ought to be 1676 Edinb. B. Rec. X 284.
To caus repair the fyre bockats that they maybe tight and allwayes in readdiness 1689 Rothesay B. Rec. 1011.
For upholding the tounes part of the kirk tight and watterfast(d) 1686 Reg. Deeds LIX 138.
Weill provyded with … ane teght float boat(e) 1694 Dunbar Social Life I 149.
Five dozen hatts … packt in ane tuht cask

2. Firmly fixed, not loose. 1513 Doug. iii viii 52.
Our fallowis fangis in thar salys tyght [L. vela legunt socii]

3. Of a person's limbs, form, etc.: Fine, well-made, shapely. a1585, a1568 Montg. P. i 67.
His lillie lyire so soft and sound, And proper memberis all; Bayth brichter and tichter Then marbre poleist clein 1603 Philotus 3.
O lustie luifsome lamp of licht, Ȝour bonynes ȝour bewtie bricht Ȝour staitly stature trym & ticht

4. transf. Of language, behaviour, etc., also of a person in respect of his language or behaviour: Not loose or uncontrolled, well argued or constructed; competent, skilful. 1617 Mill Mediæv. Plays 268.
That this speche be deliuerit in sensible ticht and gude language 1635 Dickson Wr. 10.
The hypocrite will be excellent in his naturals, and in his outward carriage as tight as any 1635 Dickson Wr. 13.
Job has been a tight divine; for compare his light with the light of the gospel, … we cannot win by him a jot, but the same whilk is now said, was said by him 1635 Dickson Wr. 21.
Ye were come on as far as a Pharisee, … and to win to an outwardly tight life 1635 Dickson Wr. 33.
The tightest physician who has studied anatomy best a1653 Baillie Dissuas. Vind. (1655) Pref.
That reverent, famous, most able and tight writer