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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Tate, Tait, n. Also: teat, (tott). [Icel. tæta a shred, fluff of wool, a particle.]

1. A tuft or lock (of hair); an outgrowth of hairs (on the face).(a) 1460 Hay Alex. 7467.
Doun oure his schulderis in tatis hang his hare 1513 Doug. vi v 11.
Charon, … Apon his chyn feil cannos harys gray, Lyart feltrit tatis 1613 Fraserburgh Kirk S. 13b (3 March).
He askit ane tait of my hare to be braceletis quhilk becaus I micht want it in deid I gaif him(b) 1665 Law Memor. (1818) Pref. xlix n.
Some teats of hair … which had been gifted to the pannel by Geills Tyre

b. A tuft of wool; a strand or string (of hemp). 1584 Sempill in Sat. P. xlv 572.
Na dentie geir this doctor seikis; Of tottis [v.r. Scottis] russet his ryding breikis 1618 Trial Isobel Inch 11.
He was fund … stranglit and hangit be the cruik of the dur, with ane tait of hemp (or a string maid of hemp, supposit to haif been his garten, or string of his bonnet)

2. fig. A strand, part (of an idea, etc.). 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Fvrche.
Bot like as ane forke hes twa graines, this precept … is divided in twa taits or parts