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 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Vital(e, adj. Also: vitall, wettal. [ME and e.m.E. vital (Chaucer), vitall (1477), OF vital.] a. Vitale spretis, spreitis vital, see Spirit n. 13. b. Of breath, etc.: Of life, life-giving. c. Of a part of the body: Essential to the continuance of life. —a. 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 105.
My vitale spretis dewlie did reiose Quhen Phebus rose 1549 Compl. 67/34.
Vital —b. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 828 (L).
The passiones of thi persing spreit, That waistis thy wettal [W. fatall, Wr. vitall] breth c1590 Fowler I 56/240.
When as my wofull hart Is soundred from his spreit and soule, her lyiflie vitall part —c. 1630 Justiciary Cases II 314.
Ony man being hurt in ane pairt of his body, quhilk is nocht ane vitall or noble pairt [etc.]