A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1590-1700+
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Stilt, Stelt, Steilt, n. [ME and e.m.E. stilt (c1320), stilte (c1340), MLG, MDu. stelte.] a. The handle of a plough. See also Pleuch-stilt n. Cf. Barrow-stele n.Quots. 1597, 1655 may belong in b.(1) Pleugh-song in 1662 Forbes Cantus (1666).
All that belongs to the pleugh … the pleugh-shoone, the mell and the stilt [etc.] 1597 Edinburgh Testaments XXX 57b.
Thrie laid of stiltis price of the laid xvj s. a1646 Wedderburn Voc. (1709) 9.
De re rustica … Stiva, the stilt 1655 Dumfries Council Min.MS 29 Oct.
The complaint of Jeane Edgar gifin in against Jon Knollis saidler for stryking of hir with ane stilt to the effusione of hir blood(2) 1597 Despauter (1597).
Buris, the stilt of a plough 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI 502.
The said Robert … assaulted Thomas Norie … between the stilts of the plough 1686 Fountainhall Decis. I 420.
A minister … tilling his glebe … had laid by the badge of his office, … and was holding the stilt of the plough(b) 1635 N. Meldrum Forteviot 54.
[Mr. Edvart Richardsone] … took reall possessioun in making reid land and taking of the steilt of the plouche in his aven hand
b. A crutch.(a) 1590–1 Criminal Trials I ii 232.
For the curing of the guidwyffe of Camroun, quha gaid vpoun stiltis 1668 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. II 482.
Lady Cardinis … being … dislocat of her thie bone, … they … strake her with her oune stilt 1702 Cramond Kirk S. V 40.
She was so enraged by them when they brake her father's staffe. … Margaret Coupar … tooke the stilt out of his hand(b) 1638 Tyninghame Kirk S. in Andrews Bygone Ch. Life 155.
For ane pair of stelts to Henrie Caning, crepill, 4 s.
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"Stilt n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/stilt>
