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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Twist, Twyst(e, n. Also: tuist, twest, twisk. [ME and e.m.E. twist (1337-9), twyst (1350-1), twyste (1404-5), twest (Prompt. Parv.), OE twist, ON kvistr.] A twig or branch. b. fig. A thread or strand (of something).(a) 1375 Barb. vii 188.
That thai his fais war he wyst, Tharfor he slepyt as foule on twyst [C. twist] c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 33.
On the small[e] grene twistis sat The lytill suete nyghtingale a1500 Henr. Fab. 2896.
The gled sat on ane twist 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 81.
Byrdis in thair nestis … Amang the brownis of the oliue twystis 1513 Doug. iii i 58.
Ane other smal twyst of a tre I chesit Forto brek down 1513 Doug. vi ii 122.
A goldin bewch, With aurial levis, and flexibill twystis tewch 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 164.
On the heychest lytill tender twyste, With wyng displayit, scho sat full wantounlie 1549 Compl. 37/21.
There vas mony smal birdis hoppand fra busk to tuist a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 58 (W).
The dewe as dyamondis did hing Vpon the tender tuistis [L. twiskis] ȝing c1590 J. Stewart 137 § 5.
Vther birdis merelie did sing On tender tuists about me(b) 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 165.
Amang the bronys of the olyve twestis Seir smaill fowlys wirkand crafty nestisb. c1590 Fowler I 133/202.
Or Death hath cutt the twist That did prolong thy glorious lyfe 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. Ded.
The antichristian crew … by their lin-sey-wol-sey confusions … haue dared clamp the sincere twist of Gods trueth with the torne clouts of their brain-sicke superstitions 1699 Forrester Bishops Claim i 26.
I deny his consequence as having no twist of a connection