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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fut(e, Fuit, Fit, n. Also: fwt, fuyt, fwyt, fwit, futt, fitt; fowt, fout(e, foot(te. Pl. fete, feitt, feyt, feitte, feet(e, fetis, feittis; fut(e, futis, futt(i)s, footis, -es, foot(t)s. [ME. fote (fowte), fot, fut, OE. fót; pl. feete, fete, OE. fét, and fotes, OE. fótas.]

1. The foot of a person or animal.a. Sing. (a) a1400 Leg. S. xxvii. 184.
Scho had nothir fut na hand To helpe the barne
14.. Acts I. 375/2.
Ane e for ane e, a fut for a fut
c1420 Wynt. i. 717.
Quhen thai ly on erde to slepe … Than that a fwt wpe thai streke
1490 Irland Mir. I. 28/9.
As the hand helpis the fut to put on the schone
1513 Doug. vii. xi. 117.
Thar left fut and all that leg was bair
1562 Digest Justiciary Proc. D. 47.
He [being] impotent be the said hurt of twa tais of his left fut
a1586 Lindsay MS. 86 b.
The Empriour is set in ane law seige at the Papis fut
c1650 Spalding I. 307.
Thay … fastnit his fut in ane changȝie
(b) 1375 Barb. iii. 737.
The Kingis folk, that war Deliuer off fute, thaim gan ourhy
c1420 Wynt. i. 714.
Thar sum folk bot a fute has
Ib. v. 1109.
Be the fute a wyff hym gat
c1475 Wall. iv. 242.
With his fute the ȝett he straik wp rycht
a1500 Henr. Fab. 819.
Ay rinnis the foxe, als lang as he fute has
1539 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) No. 10.
Ane stand of harnes batht for fute & hors
15.. Clar. i. 57.
His fute sadly throw the stirrip ȝeid
c1590 Fowler I. 66/217.
Lyke as one who … With one fwte fordwart goeth on
1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 107.
To put hir ane hand to the croune of hir heid, and the other to the soile of hir fute
1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 136 b.
Gif … he offers his awin fute for his pledge that he sall not passe or flee away
(c) a1400 Leg. S. ix. 36.
He sa harde is bundyne now … That he ma nothire stere fowt na hand
(d) 1509 Thanes of Cawdor 121.
I … in takynning heroff brekkis this dische wyth fyir, wyth my awyn futte, as custome is
1592 Montg. Misc. P. lvi. i.
Stay, passinger, thy mynd, thy futt, thy ee
(e) 1535 Stewart 54755.
Sum but ane fit, and sum als but ane hand
a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1641) 3 b.
A gangand fit is ay getting
Ib. 20.
Thou should not tell thy foe when thy fit slides
1627 Elgin Rec. II. 199.
Ther came doun a defluction in his fit that he micht not come
1694 Red Bk. Menteith I. 429.
Tuo statues of fyne hewen ston at length from head to fitt
b. Plur. (a) a1400 Leg. S. i. 687.
On the croice to be festnyt swa, Myn fet vp-wart
14.. Acts I. 378/2.
Gif he turnis the tais of his fet quhar the helis stud before that he gayn say that dome
(b) c1420 Wynt. i. 788.
Thare owsyn ar … Witht fete as here on hors yhe se
1456 Hay I. 64/11.
He defendit him with fete and handis
1513 Doug. iii. viii. 10 (R).
We … Did … beik oure bodyis, fete, and handis
c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxviii. 14 (M).
Ȝe mend the faltis of ewill maid fete
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4039.
The strandis of blude ran throuch the stretis Off dede folk trampit under fetis
(c) 14.. Acts I. 67/2.
Thai sal wyth thar handis and thar feit delf the erde
a1500 Bk. Chess 836.
Spurris of gold apon his feit suld be
1501 Treas. Acc. III. 130.
Johne Anderson that wantis the feit and handis
1513 Doug. i. vi. 166.
Hir habyt fell doun coveryng to hir feit
1549 Compl. 11/29.
The armis, the myddil, and the feit of the fyift [lady]
1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. 153 b.
Thai ar certane … thai salbe in heauin or thair feit be cauld
1597 Misc. Spald. C. I. 191.
Willame Browne his calf … thow tuik the cluis from four feitt of it
1623 Peebles Gleanings 17.
Marioun tuik her be the craig and pullit her under her feit
1673 Melrose R. Rec. II. 346.
For … strykeing and baitting of … his spouse with his hands and feitt
(d) 1489 Treas. Acc. I. .
For a bassing to wesche the kingis feyt in
1513 Doug. iii. viii. 7.
We … Did bawne and beyk our bodeys, feyt, and handis
Ib. vii. xiii. 69.
The swyft solis of his tendir feyt
1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 176.
Ane stark to vork the leddyr vpoun with thair feytt
a1570-86 Maitl. F. lxix. 134.
Thocht I haue nocht thy precious feyt to kis Als had the Magdalen

b. In figurative or allusive use. 1456 Hay I. 110/34.
Thir ressounis … may hald na fut in lautee
Ib. II. 46/17.
To hald the kingis rychtis on fut
a1500 Henr. Fab. 2175.
Thre battis he buir, or he his feit micht find
a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 473.
Throu England, thef, and tak thé to thy fute
c1530-40 Stewart Maitl. F. lxxxi. 47.
Sen that the help is in thy handis And on thy feyt thi weilfair standis
15.. Christis Kirk 165.
He gart his feit defend his heid
1568 Pref. Lyndsay 5.
Quhen thay had the ball at thair fute
1562-3 Winȝet I. 97 marg.
The commoun prouerb is ouer trew, Lat the sow put in ane fute, &c.
1571 Fergusson Tracts 70.
We sal find thair schooe … meit aneuch for our fute
1569-73 Bann. Memor. 286.
The blake oxe hes neuer trampit vpoun your foute
1596 Dalr. II. 152/1.
Angus and the Quene tuke thame to thair fute, and fled to … Ingland

2. On fute (also apon fute, on his (etc.) fute or fete, on thair fete). a. In or into a standing posture, either by rising or dismounting. 1375 Barb. vii. 206.
Delyuerly on fut gat he
Ib. xiv. 122.
The erle … Lichtit on fut with his menȝhe
a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 349.
The abbat … gat on his fete & stert hir fra
c1420 Wynt. v. 3990.
The prestys … Suld be … on fut standand
Ib. vii. 54.
On fwte at lykyng thow may lycht
c1500 Fyve Bestes 128.
On fut than gat this gentill vnicorne
c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 243.
Apon my fete I sprent
1535 Stewart 36480.
Than vp he rais rycht fraklie on his feit
a1500 Peblis to Play 115.
Ane vther stert vpon his feit
a1578 Pitsc. I. 272/35.
The lord Home stude all that night on his futte

b. Walking, in implied or expressed contrast to riding. (For on hors and fute see Hors n.)(1) 1375 Barb. iii. 353.
He fra thine on fute wald ga; And tak on fute bath weill and wa
Ib. vii. 60.
He ran on fut alwayis him by
a1400 Leg. S. xl, 557.
Ȝet wald he mekly on fete ga
c1420 Wynt. vi. 274.
Off hys hors than wald he lycht, And on hys fute he wald ga rycht
Ib. viii. 2262.
Thare Jhon Stwart apon fute … tynt the lyff
1456 Hay I. 116/3.
In sik place may be that folk on fut is better na hors
Ib. II. 134/30.
To … mak oft and ferr voyagis on fut
a1500 Bk. Chess 2106.
The men with men fechtis apone fute
1513 Doug. vi. xv. 80.
Quhidder so aganyst him he went on feit, Or ȝit on horsbak
Id. K. Hart 267.
He followit fast on fute eftir the king
1533–4 Melville Chart. 76.
He gangand apoun fuitt, and the said laird … on horsebak, lychtit apoun him
1570 Leslie 104.
Going secretlie away on thair futte
1596 Dalr. I. 99/21.
A verie abiecte man thay halde him that gangis vpon his fute ony voyage
1600-1610 Melvill 707.
Mr. William Scott [etc.] … followit on fut
(2) c1515 Asl. MS. I. 242/13.
This parliament … chargit all maner of man till be at Edinburgh baith on fut & hors
1535 Stewart 7831.
With mony forra baith on fitt and hors
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2374.
Thay bryng mad men, on fuit and horsse
1570 Reg. Morton I. 57.
Warne all the gentill men … to be wyth ther haill forces bayth on fut and horse

c. On the fete, of cattle; On the hoof, alive. 1533 Treas. Acc. VI. 164.
For iiij martis on the feit

3. a. Fute and hand, in various contexts. 1375 Barb. xi. 96.
He had wicht men … Armyt clerly at fut and hand
a1400 Leg. S. vi. 591.
[To] ger the appostil one tham stand, Bundyne faste bath fwt & hand
c1420 Wynt. v. 3280.
Two thowsand Off men armyt bathe fute and hand
?1438 Alex. ii. 367.
The lordis sonnes … Quhilkis seruit him with fute and hand
c1460 Thewis Gud Women 109.
Be ferme of hed, fut and hand
c1500-c1512 Dunb. lxxii. 36.
Thai scurgit him baith fut and hande
1535 Stewart 23830.
Tha war baith tane and fast bund fit and hand
1562-3 Winȝet I. 114 marg.
Ȝea, the cailwyfe seis ȝow heir, bund fute and hand

b. Fute for (or be) fute, keeping pace together. a1500 Henr. Fab. 196 (A).
And thus thai fure … Syne fute for fut vnto thair chalmere ȝude
1513 Doug. xii. xii. 134.
He, fute for fute, persewys him fervently
1530 Lennox Mun. 235.
He … past fwit be fwit with my said Lord … in spasing and bounding of the dyk
1535 Stewart 31538.
Fit for fit to Forfar all tha fuir
1595 Conv. Burghs I. 468.
That thai be nocht trublit … without the pairtie purchessour … pas with thame fute for fut
1662 Soc. Ant. XXII. 239.
Ye and … your neighbour came foot for foot to the foresaid meeting

c. Undir fute, in figurative use. 1562-3 Winȝet I. 129/30.
Quhy trampit ȝe nocht thai abuseis vnder fuit
c1590 Fowler II. 93/27.
Findinge … all these factions brought vnder fuit
1600-1610 Melvill 648.
All his enimies salbe strampit under fitt

d. At hir fute (or fete), of a calf or stirk, still going with the cow. 1500 Acta Conc. II. 360.
It was allegit … that the sade Archbald tuke … a cow, a calf and a stirk at hir fute for the sade horse
1584 St. A. Test. II. 48.
Ane kow with ane calf at hir feett
1586 Grant Chart. 290.
Sax [ky] with calfis at thair fut, and vther sax haifand sax stirkis at thair fut
1595 Brechin Test. I. 132 b.
Ane milk kow with ane calf at hir fit

4. The length of a foot in forward movement. 1375 Barb. xi. 642.
A fut till hym thou sallnocht ga
a1400 Leg. S. x. 60.
With thare sorcery wald tha Lat [= hinder] men to gange a fute away
Ib. xix. 134.
A fowt forthyre wil I nocht ga
a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1284.
With thé he wil nocht gang ane futt
a1500 Doug. K. Hart 603.
That I no fut micht find [leg. found] be eist or west Bot euir in warde
1535 Stewart 46172.
Or [= ere] ony man ane fit farder hed socht To bring to thé sic bodwart
1567 Sat P. v. 10.
Think it is nouther strenth nor fors, That has set ȝow a fuite befoir
1609 Gardyne Garden 39.
As fixed fast, I fotch no futt [: sitt]

b. A foot as a measure of length.The singular is commonly used as a plural with numbers, and the plural form is usually futis or variants of this.(1) c1420 Wynt. vi. 254.
Hys berd a fwte wes large off lenth
1512 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 109.
[The] tre to be … new ayk, a large fute of the squar quhen it is dychtit
1549 Compl. 20/30.
At this tyme ane fut of hicht of the vallis can nocht be sene
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4093.
Thare is no Jow … Quhilk hes one fute of properte
1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 348.
Price of ilk fut [of glass] setting
a1578 Pitsc. II. 81/23.
To that taikin he bend into the fyre ane fute of height
(2) 1375 Barb. x. 547.
A schort leddir, … I trow of tuelf fut it may be
a1400 Leg. S. xxxi. 460.
A lang plat Of fyftene fute of lynth
c1420 Wynt. iv. 438.
Off haylstanys than ane fell … awcht fute brayd
1437 Reg. Dunfermline 285.
Thar sel be ten fute of the rynryg of the Abbot
1499 Halyb. 251.
A mat to his chamer xx. fut lang and als brad
1512 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 109.
He sall big a mylne hous … xxiiij fute lang and xvj fute wyid
1529 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 395.
Ane substantious brig … with passage convenient of saxten fwit of breid
c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2735.
Towris … Off heycht, two hundreth fute and more
a1578 Pitsc. I. 251/16.
Scho was ten fute thik in the waill
(3) 1456 Hay I. 48/22.
A dragoun … the quhilk held in lenth sex score of futis
1529 M. Works Acc. I. 13.
vij peis lang werk of xl fuytis of lentht
1532 Reg. Privy S. II. 167/1.
To big and set furth ane turnpyk tua futtis furth in the winde
1563–4 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 472.
Four hairth stanis contenand xiiij futes of lenth
1577 Prot. Bk. J. Scott 38 b.
Two cott housis … with tuentie fuitis of leinth befoir thair durris
1602 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 308.
The lenth of sex scoir fute and the breid of thre scoir futes
1660 Lanark B. Rec. 179.
To build up on that waist common roume … threttein futts of braid
c 1680 Coll. Aberd. & Banff 97.
This year one [whale] was taken … of seventy foots
1684 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 358.
A litle hows of the length of thretty footts or thereby

c. A foot as a unit of measurement for glass, wood, masonry, etc.(1) 1506 Treas. Acc. III. 296.
For 2200 fut of plankis … to the gret schip
1512 Ib. V. 116.
[For] reparalling the queueis chamber viixx and xj fut glas
1554 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 193.
Of the stanis that thai sall win, … the fute of lang werk that passis five fete, v d
1607–8 Mun. Univ. Glasg. III. 560.
Sax futt of riging to the Kirk
(2) 1529 M. Works Acc. I. 15 b.
Resauit … lx fuyttis, viz. xxx fuyttis sargis, … [and] other thretty fuittis ornale
1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 348.
viij futtis auld glass new set in leid
1581–2 Misc. Spald. C. V. 53.
Payt for the glessin wyndok to the skoull, contenit twelff futtis
1626 M. Works Acc. XIX. 9.
To the tirleis maker … ffor xv fittis of tirleis for the laiche voltis within the castell
1637 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 127.
Certane footes of wall neirest the [kirk] style
(3) 1611 M. Works Acc. IX. 3.
Fyue new wondokes extendiis … in feittes till fiftie foure feit, … seventene fet of new glas at iij s. the feit

d. pl. A length or extent of (so many) feet of land, wall, stone, etc. 1492 Peebles B. Rec. 194.
[They] grantit tham to be fowely pait be the town for fourty futtis of the stepil byggin
c1515 Asl. MS. I. 322/25.
Lo, Alexander ȝisterday nocht content of all the warld; this day vij futis of it is lord of him
1510 Dunferm. B. Rec. 358.
Resignacione … of five futtis and a half of thar land
1597 Elgin Rec. II. 48.
William Murray and John Warden sall big in this ouk ten futtis of the Kirkȝaird dyik
1639 M. Works Acc. XXIX. 42 b.
To Gorg Duncane for … xviij iiij fouttis stanes … ; to him for twa fyue futtis stanes

5. The bottom of a hill or other eminence. 1375 Barb. x. 602.
Till the fut soyne cummyn ar thai Of the crag
1488 Reg. Paisley 407.
The heide dike nuke at the fuite of the Hadryhil
1533 Bell. Livy I. 199/28.
Ane pepill duelling at the fute of the montanis
1538–9 M. Works Acc. VI. 17 b.
Ledand fre stane fra the heich quarellis … to the hill fut
1549 Compl. 52/1.
He vil see ane schip farrar on the seye nor … at the fut of the hil
1556 Peebles B. Rec. 230.
The gray marche stane at the Faw Bank fut
1595 Reg. Great S. 90/2.
Beginnand … at the north syd of the burne … at the fit of the north bank
1603 Moysie 90.
He … stayed his horse at the hill fute
1683 Coll. Aberd. & B. 100.
At which time they … are catched with any kind of fish, at rock foots, under water

6. The lower end of a piece of ground, enclosure, way, stream, or similar feature. 1531 Bell. Boece I. p. xxiii.
The Ile of Albioun … fra the fute thairof … procedis ay more small, quhill [etc.]
1538 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 59.
In tyme cuming that the gres be sawld at the fute of the kirk ȝaird
1547 Prot. Bk. W. Corbet 8.
Passand … as the ald dyik gangis on to the fwt of the lone
1565 Bamff Chart. 101.
Beginnand at the fute of the stryp that falls out of the Crawberry myre
16.. Hist. Kennedy 47.
At the fut of the bog thair wes ane cumpany of feall dykis
Ib.
The ane at the heid of the feallis, and the wther at the futt
1601 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 290.
In the bigging of his land at the fute of the Over bow
1655 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 303.
To build ane peice of the kirk yaird dyke for ane buriall place at the futt therof

b. With local term preceding. See also Close-fute. 1590 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 19.
Thomas Aichinsoun['s] … lugeing in Todrikis Wynd fute
1590 Lanark B. Rec. 97.
The brig at the cors at Welgat fuit
1631 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 4.
The building of ane peir at the Kelburne fute
1662 Highland P. III. 24.
The devill … convoyed her to the loaning fitt
1682 Peebles B. Rec. II. 102.
Fra the steep to baillie Hopes land foott … and fra baillie Hopes land foot to the sand bed

7. The bottom or lower part of any standing thing; a base or support.(1) c 1450 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 202.
A gryit crois … standand apon a gret fute closit wyth a pyn of siluer
1511 Treas. Acc. IV. 533.
Ane bois cowp of silvir, wantand the knop, the fut lowse
1541 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 176.
Ane flesching buird, with ane fuyt
1563 Peebles B. Rec. 289.
Ane litill bikker callit ane salt fat with ane fute of esche
1584 Argyll Lett. 62.
Tua siluer fuitis with their coueris
1610 Edinb. Test. XLVI. 174.
The siluir fut of the quhyte cope weyis aucht vnce
1637 S. Leith Rec. 27.
Ane greate gould coupe … the fit and stalk thairof of silver ower guilt with gould
(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1086.
At the ledder fute his leif he tais
1534–5 Linlithgow Pal. 323.
For lxxviij bottis to the trest feit of the gret hall
1560–1 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 139.
Ane bot that beris togidder the pulpit fit
1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 647/2.
Ane frontell … , for the syde and the feit of ane bede
1597 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. 64 b.
To the calsay maker for calseing the fute of the spout
1618 M. Works Acc. XV. ii. 49 b.
For iij great aikin tries to be feitt & brydillis to the ruiff
1643 Edinb. Test. LX. 240 b.
Two futtis of reid cofferis
(3) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 105.
At last they wan to the fute of the biggit wall
a1570-86 Maitl. F. clxx. 151.
Ȝour hous is build on him, … So now I houpe his helpe … Sall found and fix it faster on ane fit
1600–1 State Papers (Reg. H.) No. 108. 10.
He … saw the maister lyand deid at the blak turnepyk fute

b. The end of a staff. 1681 Thanes of Cawdor 357.
For the virrell to the fuit of the stafe

8. The bottom line or lines of an account; the sum stated there. 1474 Treas. Acc. I. 13.
Allow it to the comptare for his superexpensis of his last compt as schewit in the fute of it
1488 Lanark B. Rec. 2.
The quhilkis auditouris fyndis the rentell in the said yer with the fut of the rest of the last count xxxiij li. xiij s.
1509 Reg. Privy S. I. 281/1.
The soum … restand on him in the chekker rollis in the fute of his last compt
1569–70 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 651/2.
The fwtt of his compt wilbe im ic lib.
1581 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 203.
[The] thesaurer to … pay to William the sowm of sextein pund … restand awand to him at the fuite of his comptis
1676 St. A. Baxter Bks. 102.
It wes fund be the fuit therof that he restit the craft iii lib. xii s

b. The end of a letter. 1625 Bk. Carlaverock II. 68.
In the fit of Seigneur George his letter, I doe testifie [etc.]

9. A metrical foot. 1560 Rolland Seven S. Prol. 126.
Quhair I it fand into plane prois … Without cullour or feit
1585 James VI Ess. 57.
Sa is the hinmest lang syllabe the hinmest fute
Ib. 60.
Gif your lyne be of aucht fete

10. Foot-soldiers, infantry. (Cf. Hors n.) 1587-99 Hume vii. 102.]
[Murrions for men of fute
1639 Black Bk. Taymouth 83.
The levies of hors and futt imposit vpon him
1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 23.
Sex thousand men or theirby, fute and horse
1647 Ib. 75.
The tuo regiments of futt

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