Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ROOST, n.¹, v.¹ ne.Sc. forms reest (Mry. 1806 J. Cock Simple Strains 94; ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 15; Abd. 1929 J. Milne Dreams o' Buchan 21; Abd. 1968), reist (Abd. 1889 W. Allan Sprays 102), riest (Abd. 1967 Buchan Observer (21 Feb.) 2), reast (Sc. c.1805 Mother's Malison in Child Ballads No. 216 A. iv.; Bnff. 1887 Trans. Banffshire Field Club 69); reesht (Mry.¹1925; Abd.¹1929), and dim. reestie (Bnff. 1868 W. Garden Meg's Wedding 95). [rust (from Eng.); ‡røst, rɪst, Sh., ne.Sc. rist]

Sc. usages: 1. The open cross-joists of the living room of a rural cottage (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1968, reest), freq. used for storing articles, and earlier on as roosts for the poultry. Also transf. any high position or place.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 105:
An' frae the roost a rung she drew.Abd. 1998 Sheena Blackhall The Bonsai Grower 49:
Inby the kirk, twis as cauld's a crypt. A crammosie carpet ran frae yett tae altar, like a bluid-red bandage, richt up the steps tae the meenister's reest itsel, like a craw's nest.

2. A garret (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).

3. A perch in gen., a firm support, a prop, e.g. for a gun, in taking aim.Abd. 1849 Johnny Raw Human Misery 17:
Throw down some mealocks for a sparrow's feast, Then take a steady aim across a reist.Abd. 1877 W. Alexander Rural Life 180:
When he had paid his sixpence, and spread his bonnet on the top of the yard dyke before him to get a true and stable “reest”, the eager competitor would lay himself along, and with all earnestness take a deliberate, and, if it might be, correct aim.