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 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ra(i)th(t, Reath(e, n. [North. ME rath(t (only in Cursor M.), OIr. ráthe, ráithe, Gael. ràith.] A quarter of a year, esp. as divided by the recognized quarter-days; also, in the late 17th c., of the school year; a season. b. Appar., the beginning of a quarter, or the quarter-day.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xl 772.
Ilke rath of the ȝere 1456 Hay II 127/24.
The four rathis of the ȝere, that is for to say ver, somer, August, and wynter 1572 Aberd. B. Rec. II 9.
Quhilks generall collectour sal be chosin euerie ratht(b) 1581 Mill Mediæv. Plays 157.
Raith 1586 Inverness Rec. I 307.
On the first Moundaye of the raitht [ed. raicht] at Beltan last 1596 Misc. Spald. C. I 84.
Apryle … being the first monetht in the raitht 1620 Ellon Presb. 107.
[The school fees per quarter, called] the raith's colledge [are then fixed](c) 1619 Brechin Kirk S. 17 Aug.
If he cume to hir within ane reath thairefter sche culd have healled him 1661 Elgin Rec. II 299.b. 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Dalyell Darker Superst. 470.
[It was alleged against Isobel Sinclair, that during seven years,] sex times at the reathes of the year, shoe hath bein [etc.]