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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†DEBAIT, v. “Used in a singular sense in Perths., also in the South of Scot. When one has eat as much at a meal as he deems sufficient, and thinks it is time to lay down his knife and fork, it is commonly said, I'll debait now” (Per., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.2).
[O.Sc. has debate, debait, to abate, reduce, a.1400; also found in Mid.Eng., but obs. in St.Eng. since 17th cent. From de, pref., absolutely, completely, + bate, aphetic form of abate.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Debait v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/debait>
