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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

PALLET, n. Also pallat; pellad (Cai.).

†1. The head, pate (n.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis; Sc. 1808 Jam.). Obs. in Eng.Sc. 1706 J. Watson Choice Coll. i. 41:
Some Draff, whereon this Meir did mallat, Which fiercely gart her lift her Pallat.Ags. 1815 G. Beattie John o' Arnha' (1882) 165:
[He] gar'd his cudgel claw their pallets.Kcd. 1844 W. Jamie Muse 47:
He prayed for him and a' his wallets, That cleaned the hats o' greasy pallets.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin iv.:
Mrs. Williamson . . lent him a blenter ower the pallet wi' her crummie-stick.Ags. 1879 Forfar Poets (Fenton) 147:
Bauchled shoon an' tatit pallet.

‡2. A tadpole (Cai. 1903 E.D.D., pellad, Cai. 1965).Cai. 1962 John o' Groat Lit. Soc. 20:
'E quarry hol hes disappeared Wance, filled wi' wreeglan pellads.

3. A ball of any kind, a globe (Sc. 1832 A. Henderson Proverbs Gl.); specif. the glass or metal float on a fishing net (ne.Sc., Fif., Bwk. 1965). This however may really be a variant of Pellet, n., 2.