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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
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Wit, Wat(e, Wait, v.¹ Also: wit(t)(e, vit, uit(t, wyt(t, wyte, vyt(e, vyd, watt, vat(t, waitt, waite, vait, wayt(e, waet, wet(e, weit, ve(i)t, wot(e, wott, vot, woot, (vis), (viting). 2nd, 3rd pers. pres. also wittis, wat(t)is, wotithe. P.t. wist(e, vist(e, (wit(h), wyst(e, vyst, uyst, west(e, wost, vost, wust, wistit, wyttyt. P.p. wittin(g, -yn(g, -en, wit(i)ne, -yne, vittine, wyttin, -en, vyttyne, wyit. [ME and e.m.E. wite(n (c1175), wyte(n (c1290), wijt, witt(e, witten, witin, wet(e, weit (all Cursor M.), wit (14th c.), wote(n (1414). Pres. (1st, 3rd sing.) wat (c1200), watte, quat, wote (all Cursor M.), wate, wayt (both 14th c., north.), wot (Ancr. R.), woot (Chaucer), wotte (Destr. Troy), 2nd sing. wost (Layamon), wat (Cursor M.), wottest (1387-8), pl. witen (c1175), wat(e (Cursor M.), wote (Manning), witte (Wyclif), weten (1387-8), wyte (Lydgate). P.t. wisste (Orm), wuste(n (Layamon), wyste (c1275), wi(j)st (both Cursor M.), westen (Ayenbite), wost (Trevisa). P.p. wit(t)en, witin, wist (all Cursor M.), weste (a1320), wytene (a1400), OE witan (wát, wást, witon, wiste, ᵹewiten), MLG, MDu. weten, ON vita. Also in the later dial.]

1. tr.To know, have cognizance of, to be aware of (a fact, situation, person, etc.). Also in negative const.(1) ?1438 Alex. ii 1513.
‘Ȝa,' said the king … 'He wait our cunnand al be this' ?1438 Alex. ii 3639.
Thocht all war witting [F. quant la chose ert seue] c1420 Ratis R. 482.
Nane bot God wat suthfastnes c1450-2 Howlat 874 (A).
I wait ȝour will and quhat way ȝe wald that I wrocht 1456 Hay I 151/28.
Changeing of men that wate the kingis secretis … may do grete scathe 1460 Hay Alex. 355.
No man wist the suth bot he and I 1460 Hay Alex. 2133.
King Philip wittand weill my case Tuke me for bairn a1500 Henr. Fab. 649.
My destenie and eik my weird I watt [Ch. ken], My auenture is cleirlie to me kend c1475 Wall. ix 1707.
‘Wait thow thair multiple?’ ‘iij thowsand’ 1513 Doug. iv ix 96.
Ony deite … that watis Or persavys luffaris inequale c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xii 25.
And Jesus wittand thar thouchtis, said to tham [etc.] a1568 Scott x 21, 23.
Albeid I knaw Of Luvis law The plesour & the panis smart [etc.] … Scho wait my wo … Scho wait my weilfair and remeid(b) a1500 Lanc. 410.
The clerkis all … came to his presens, Of his desir to viting the sentens(2) a1400 Leg. S. v 86.
Scho … did son syne, as the appostil bad; Wittand na wa, bot as scho had Vaknyt of slepe a1400 Leg. S. ix 64.
Gret trawale neuire he wyste a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 477.
Godis wat I nane, Til honoure, God of hewine outane 1424 Cambuskenneth Let. to Jas. I.
Ȝour entent we wate nocht c1450 Cr. Deyng (STS) 29.
We wat nothir the tyme nor the sted 1460 Hay Alex. 720.
I wat na caus of fede … That suld betuix ws be a1500 Lanc. 225.
None wist his nome a1500 Rauf C. 66.
I wait na worthie harberie … bot mine awin hous 1560 Rolland Seven S. 1815.
The bab sleiping, and wist na kind of ill 1562-3 Winȝet II 36/7.
I wate nocht quhat noueltie he had found

b. To know (that) something is the case as a matter of fact or certainty. Also it is to wit, it is a fact. Cf. f below. Also proverb.Chiefly of something true in the past or present; sometimes applied to future events, of the outcome of which the speaker or protagonist is in no doubt.(1) pres. a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi 903.
The wedou … vittand wele it wes a bane Of the Baptiste [etc.](b) 1375 Barb. i 509.
I will … apon me ta The state for I wate that I have rycht a1400 Leg. S. xxx 135.
I wat nan durst tak on hand … To do thé wrang 14… Edinb. Univ. MS La.ii.318.
God forbedis That ony man … With his wif dele, quhen that sche wate That sche is propirly in sic state 1460 Hay Alex. 1982.
Lordis ȝe se quhow this is gane … Ȝe ken ȝour cunandis … Ȝe wat that all is myne, lordschip and rentis, And ȝe wat quhow ȝe ar oblist to me 1466 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 590 (22 Nov.).
To swer that thai wate wele & knawys that [etc.] 1485–6 Prot. Bk. J. Young 9.
I … wat that the sad compromise is lel and trew a1700 Mare of Colinton 46.
I wat well, she had her fill(c) 1424 Grey Friars II 167.
I wayt, and it was reveylyt til me be my nychbourris of Kynggorne … that the lettyre that thai of Kynggorn has [etc.] a1500 Henr. Fab. 525.
Sister, ȝe wait off sic as him ane scoir Wald not suffice to slaik our appetyte a1500 Seven S. 1141.
Thow has gret syn me for to sla And thow wait I am innocent a1500 Prestis of Peblis 343 (A).
Weile we wait thar can be na war thing Than covatis 1515 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 45.
The Italianis has ane proverbe fidelis servus asinus perpetuus; I waite that I serf na Italiane: I trast sickirlie that I serve ane noble discret and kynd lord 1531 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 114.
He vait veill that his moder deponis vordis of veryte c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 256.
Weill I wait Ȝe aucht not be baith judge, and aduocat 1571 J. Maitland in Sat. P. xxvii 53.
Fra thai aganes our partye anis prewaile; Quha waitt bot syne thai will orselffis assaile 1579 Acts III 176/2.
I wait she will not deny for I esteme hir to be trew and honnest(d) 1693 Answ. Presb. Eloq. 80.
Weel I watt ye gatt a pair of broken shins for your pains(e) a1500 Lanc. 97.
Wot yhoue nocht that [etc.] a1500 Quare Jel. 83.
Jupiter, that knoweth euery hart Wote that I am sakeles 1642 Scots Scouts Discovered by their London Intelligencer and Presented to the Lords of the Covenant of Scotland 3.
I could have kend him by his white sleeves … but I well wot, there hee was notp.t. 1375 Barb. iv 102 (C).
Thai sa stith saw the casteill And wist [E. with] that it wes varnist weill 1375 Barb. vi 32.
Quhen the Gallowais wyst suthli That he wes with sa few mengȝe Thai [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. i 72.
Wiste a1400 Leg. S. xxi 221.
Wyst I … fore certanete That sawlis ay suld lyfand be … I wald [etc.] c1475 Wall. v 416.
Kerle wyst … Nere Dwnypace that he suld fynd him thar a1540 Freiris Berw. 78 (M).
Thai wist the ȝettis war lokkit fast That thai micht nocht fra thyn get entray c1550 Edinb. Univ. MS No. 553.
I wist nocht that he want[it the co]quiet quhill I come to Dunde & axit the custum 15.. Clar. i 254.
Than wist I weill I suld it wndertake 1560 Rolland Seven S. 964.
That he was dum his father ȝit not wist(b) a1400 Leg. S. xxix 761.
Wust(c) c1520-c1535 Nisbet John xxi 15.
Lorde, thou wost that I lufe Theep.p. a1400 Leg. S. xl 1229.
I suld haf wityne … That Scottis-man of Galouay than Suld neuire helpe ony Inglis-man c1420 Wynt. viii 435 (W).
Gif thai had witting herd or sene That ony custom optenit had bene Befor that tyme of sic a cas a1500 Rauf C. 604.
And I had wittin that [etc.] c1515 Asl. MS I 194/5.
It is wele wittin be ald cornikillis that [etc.]proverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 878.
Weill wats the mouse, the cats out of the house(2) c1400 Troy-bk. i 537.
It is to witt … That Eclyps was neuir sene Agane c1515 Asl. MS I 215/3.
It is to wit that the Scottis regnit befor the Pictis ii^c lxv ȝeris

c. Const. dependent interrogative clause, chiefly in indirect questions. Freq. in negative or implied negative const. Also proverb.This is by far the commonest construction in this sense.(1) pres. 1375 Barb. xii 315 (C).
Ȝhe wat weill all quhat honour is a1500 Henr. Fab. 1613.
King and lord may weill wit quhat I mene a1500 Prestis of Peblis 479.
Wait ȝee how the Frenche man sayis syne? 1525 Douglas Corr. 98.
Gif ȝe haif gottine na knawlege heireof, ȝour wisdome wait quhat ȝe haif ado 1536 Lynd. Answ. Flyting 35.
Ȝour fyne powder spair, And waist it nocht, bot gyf ȝe wit weill quhair 15.. Clar. iv 2249.
Full weill I waite, had ȝe not lovit me, Ȝe wald not ask with me to mariet be 1616 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 249.
Pat Smyth vittis quhair it lyes 16.. J. Row Cupp of Bon-Accord 2.
And what was gote behind him vpon the ass, watt ye?p.t. a1400 Leg. S. xiii Prol. 35.
Scho [sc. Mary] vyst beste quhat He [sc. Jesus] did Fra scho Hyme bar c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 131/1 (see Wil(l v.¹ 33). 1596 Dalr. II 6/1.
Quhen the Inglisman seis the Scotis fal on knies, they crie … that the Scotis on knies had randiret thame selfes. Bot quhais pietie they skorne, thay wist quhat it meinet or the morne 1686 G. Stuart Joco-Ser. Disc. 29.
He had a faus-bane in his cheek And wist when, and when not to speak(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii 727.
Sum … Sperit at hym, quhy he did … his awne modir to sla; For, gyf he wit quhat wa that scho For hym tholyt, he suld nocht that dop.p. ?1438 Alex. i 1828.
Had thai wittin in certante How [etc.](2) pres. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 223 (C).
Which kynd of tree that it be Impossibile is man to wytt c1460 Wisd. Sol. (STS) 5.
All lawbore that man makis … nocht wytand quha sal iois thai landis and gudis eftir hyme(b) 1375 Barb. iii 255.
Nane wate in how litill space … God … will send grace 1375 Barb. v 241 (C).
Vat 1425 Coldingham Ct. Roll MS.
And incontinent ȝoung John of Paxton brukit [sc. certain land] qwat power at he had we wat nocht 1456 Hay II 104/13.
Thou watis nocht quhen God may mak of a pore rich 1490 Irland Mir. II 140/26.
Thir daft and presumptuus pepil … wait nocht quhat thai say a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 558 (Asl.).
Quhen thow sall … pas thow wait nocht quhar a1500 Colk. Sow ii 241.
For littill watt thow how sone that thow may slid 1502 Orkney Rentals i 9.
The bischop hes the scattis heirof … We wait nocht quhy a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1103 (Wr.).
Who wats, sir, if that … Is sowre, which seemeth sweet? 1585 Calderwood IV 307.
With I wait not what infinite other number of slanderous reproaches 1602 Colville Paraenese 63.
Vatt c1616 Hume Orthog. 14.
I waet not be quhat corruption, we see … one symbol to have sundrie soundes 1637 Johnston Diary I 263.
Not wayting quhair to begin or quhat to think on(c) c1520-c1535 Nisbet Prol. Rom. 323/15.
Wotithe 1566 Anderson Collect. Mary I 46.
We wott not uppoun quhat tikket to proceid 1584 Gowrie P. 75.
Of the … proceedings here I woot not what certenly to write c1590 Fowler I 154/13.
I wott not quhat I wishe, Bot this I knaw [etc.]p.t. 1375 Barb. i 127.
Bot ȝe traistyt in lawte … And wyst nocht quhat suld efter tyd 1439 Ayr B. Ct. 4 May.
Thai wist nocht grathly qwat day thai said that thai suld pay that som a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 164 (W).
Wist 1662 Soc. Ant. XXII 223.
Some mumbling words that he wist not what(b) a1400 Leg. S. ii 420.
Weste(c) c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 59.
Quhat wostow than? sum bird may cum and stryve In song with thé 1512 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 19.
He wost nocht quha bur awaye the trep.p. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 343 (C).
It shall wittyng [D. wytten] be of none But of ws two … Whethyre [etc.](3) proverb. a1568 Bann. MS 135b/61.
He that wattis quhen he is full He is na fule a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 256.
Every man wates best where his own shoe bindes him a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 584.
He that looks or he loups wots quhar he lichts a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 589.
Little waits an ill hussie what a dinner holds in a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 460.
Drink if ye list, ye wate if ye mister a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 487.
Everie bodie wats not quha was Downies father

d. Const. infinitive, with the import of c above. e. absol. or ellipt.Also quha wait, who knows? Also proverb.f. (That is) to wit, namely. Const. d and e above. See To prep. B 9 d. Cf. also b (2) above.d. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 783.
Thay … wist not weill to trauell or to tariee. (1) c1420 Wynt. v 4370.
I wyll say na mare, than I wate c1450-2 Howlat 429 (A).
I wryt as I wait 1490 Irland Mir. II 69/25.
Thai trow that [etc.] … and that thai wait nocht bot trowis … in that and in sic materis that thai may na way knaw perfitlie c1500 Fyve Bestes 27.
Nay said this fule the falt was nocht in me Bot all in ȝow that God has gevin to wit, To rewle ws baith and nocht disponit it 1533 Gau 29/20.
We say noth first in the faith I sey or wait bot we say I trow a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 861 (W).
Quhat will you do, I wald we wist 1588 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 52.
God knawis quhar Mr. Edmond Hay is, for I wat nocht; ȝit I traist he may be … livand 1596 Dalr. I 58/25.
Quhilkes to cal scheip or gait … we knawe nocht, nor wat we weil 1596 Dalr. II 104/36.
That … tha steil him nocht doune or he wit(2) a1540 Freiris Berw. 117 (B).
I hecht to walk this nicht, Quha wait perchance sum sport I ma espy 1585 James VI Ess. 78.
Who watts, both these may [etc.](3) proverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 201.
Before I wein and now I wat a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1428.
Tel na mae nor ye wat

2. With, freq., indefinite, object expanded or explained in a dependent construction, consisting of a. A nominal or adverbial clause containing a statement or question. (Cf. 1 b and c above.) Also ellipt. and proverb.b. A prepositional phrase, chiefly in of, sometimes, where the nocht is the object, little more than the negative of 3 below. Also const. of oneself, see 3 b below. c. An infinitive.a. 1375 Barb. iv 772.
Quhether scho that tauld the king How his purpos suld tak ending Wenyt or wist [C. vist] it witterly It fell efter … As scho said c1400 Troy-bk. ii 178 (C).
The goddes wote my will That I me besye in no-thyng ?1438 Alex. i 3249.
I wait it … Sum vther wald [etc.] ?1438 Alex. ii 1791.
He wat na thing quhat he may be c1420 Ratis R. 66.
He wyst ilke preuatee That is and was and sal be eft c1420 Wynt. v 5247.
Qwhar was God, wat thou oucht, Befor that hewyn and erde was wroucht c1420 Wynt. viii 3472.
Folk … wyth-owtyn noys or cry Passyd the wattyr … That nane, that sat wpon the bra, Wyst it c1460 Consail Vys Man 309.
Suppos thai wyst it … Quhai suld that gold aw a1540 Freiris Berw. 428 (M).
Quhat scho thocht sche wist (no vdir) wane c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus i 404.
Thryis als mekle scho reuis, That thou not wait 15.. Clar. iii 1867.
I … nothing wote If I to ȝow will cum againe or not 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6363.
Quhidder he gat it or nocht, few wait it 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10383.
Bot quhat he was the suith nathing scho wistproverb. 1570 Sat. P. xv 139.
Had I witten that I wait a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 783.
Had I wittin that I wat ye sould have not gottin that ye gatellipt. 1666 Dunkeld Presb. II 63.
For they thought when they removed that cow that no man had knowen but I will assure them ther was thre wat it God in heaven & the divell in hell and the partie who took itb. (1) a1400 Leg. S. xiii 10.
Sanct Jone … That of Cristis priwete mekil wyste a1400 Leg. S. xxix 743.
Of hyr hapny[n]g I wat no mare ?1438 Alex. ii 7518.
I wait nocht of the deid [F. Je ne sai qu'iert du fait] c1420 Wynt. vii 470.
Fewe wyst thare-off the manere ?14.. Ship Laws c. 7 (B).
The wynys takys scath and [the] mayster wate nocht thar of 1471 Acta Aud. 13/1.
Thai war nocht present nor wist nocht of the last continuacion a1500 Henr. Fab. 2621.
Of his fa the volff na thing he wist a1500 Henr. Fab. 2724 (Bann.).
God … The wrang, the rycht of all thy werkis wate c1475 Wall. iv 148.
Edward Litill … wait rycht nocht of this newe jugement c1490 Irland Asl. MS 5/1 (see Nocht n. 1 (2)). 1527 Wigtown B. Ct. 208b.
The said Jhone suere that he saw neuer that vedder na uyst nocht of hyme 1562 Breadalbane Lett. 12 Feb.
[He] nevir … desirit me … to enter thair nor wist nocht of that dracht(2) 1375 Barb. iv 761.
Off hyr selff rycht nocht wyst scho a1500 Lanc. 1046.
The red knycht still in to his hewy thoght Was hufyng ȝit apone the furd, & noght Wist of hime self. With that a harrold com And … the knycht he be the brydill nom Sayng ‘Awalk it is no tyme to slep’(3) a1568 Scott xxii 10.
It dois ȝow ay delyt To wit me in distresc. c1475 Wall. ix 864.
This is the best I wait, To … remayn her … For thai may nocht lang in this forest byd c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 14.
Wist thou thy payne to cum … wele myght thou wepe c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2698.
I haue wyttin gud wemen passe fra hame a1578 Pitsc. II 122/16.
My lord Rothus wist na way … to eschaip

3. intr.a. To know about, be aware of, have knowledge of (a fact, situation, person, etc.). b. Const. of oneself: To have self-knowledge or awareness of oneself. Also proverb.c. absol. or ellipt.a. ?1438 Alex. i 2468 (see Trowing vbl. n. a). a1500 Rauf C. 649.
He trowit that the wy had wittin of Wymond a1500 Henr. Fab. 2543.
He ran restles, for he wist off na beild 1488 Treas. Acc. I 87.
The names of thame that wist of the said box quhen it was in the myre a1500 Seven S. 2371.
Of the passage wist thair nane Bot … he 1498 Acta Conc. II 271.
That he knew and wist of the sade charter … bot he knew nocht quhar thai war c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 71/22.
My sempillnes … Wait of na way 1513 Doug. xi iv 34.
Owr weill I wist … of quhou mekill mycht Till ony ȝong man … Was [etc.] 1522 Dundee B. Ct. I 86 (1 April).
It was refferrit to Andro Wannandis aith … gif he watt of the effect of the lynyng betuix hym and the said James land 1528 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 74.
The inqueist findis thaim in the vrang that foloit that vist of it 15.. Clar. iii 1672.
Sir Thomas, not witting of this thing; For had he wittin that [etc.] 1564–5 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 14.
Requiring ferder … gif he wist of the said Beggie Ferlyis deperting or quhair scho is 1584 Edinb. Test. XIII 152.
As to dettis awand be me … I wait of nane 1596 Dalr. II 286/17.
The ane not witting of the vtherb. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 490.
Christ beginneth young with many, and stealeth into their heart, ere they wit of themselvesproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. (1706) 269.
He that looks not ere he loup, will fall ere he wit of himselfc. (1) c1420 Wynt. iv 1818.
Off his … dedis … I wyll tell na mare than I wate(2) 1586 Warrender P. (SHS) I 252.
The knaifrie of the man ye vat of 1589 Maxwell Mem. II 166.
The purpois ȝe waitt of 1592 Reg. Privy C. IV 833.
The deponer hes hard na word … that he wait of fra [etc.] 1596 Maxwell Mem. II 185.
For ocht I watt of c1615 Maxwell Mem. I 323.
Informatioun for the mater ȝe watt off

4. tr.(intr.). Where God is the subject. a. In senses 1 b, c, 2 and 3: God knows or is aware of (something), also, only God knows, passing into God alone knows, expressing the unknowable nature of the thing mentioned. b. tr.Expressing an extreme value, specif. a value so small that it is perceptible only by God. c. Used in an asseveration or to emphasise the truth of a statement: Truly, verily.a. 1375 Barb. i 586.
Oft failȝeis the fulis thocht And wys mennys etling Cummys nocht ay to that ending That thai think it sall cum to For God wate weill quhat is to do 1460 Hay Alex. 205.
The bairn was hovin and fosterit, God wat quhow a1500 Lanc. 521.
God wot What this shude men, for mor ther of we not 1490 Irland Mir. I 73/26.
It that God wait and knawis and wist eternaly 1490 Irland Mir. II 137/3.
Or God maid the waurld He wist and had knawlage and presciens that He wauld mak it 1490 Irland Mir. II 138/7.
It is possible at He wit nocht that thai ar to cum and … that He had neuir sciens na knawlage tharof 1490 Irland Mir. II 138/17.
God wist eternaly that I sal syn to-morne a1500 Peblis to Play 7.
God wait that [pr. thai] wald thai do that stound For it wes thair feist day c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 195.
He ralis [etc.] … Bot God wait quhat I think quhen he so thra spekis c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. vi 32.
Your Fader wate that ye haue nede to al thir thingis 1535 Stewart 20608.
God wait or nocht gif that tha sufferit pane 1570 Sat. P. xiii 134.
Our Kingis grandschir … ȝe slew Baneist his gudschir … Thir are ȝour warks … God wait gif ȝe be jaips to hald in stoir Or bony byrdis to keip in to ane cage Christ keip our King out of ȝour handis heirfoirintr. a1400 Leg. S. xxx 378.
Gyf God mycht Wit of it ware don be nychtb. 1456 Hay I 166/6.
And that diligence war done for … the commoun prouffit, it wer wele done. Bot God wate how mony is now … that settis thair hert … for the utilitee of the commoun proffitc. (1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii 1680.
For quhilk it happinnis oft, God wate … That of fule haist cummis no speid 1460 Hay Alex. 595.
God wat na falt of flesche haid he The king haid biddin that he suld haue plentie a1500 Henr. Fab. 1378.
Maister Esope, … God wait ȝe ar full deir welcum to me 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 197.
Than God wait how affrayit was I 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 421.
The lymnaris wer of birneist gold, God wote [: hote] c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 101/37.
Than cam in Dame Dounteboir God waett gif that schou louket sowr 1513 Doug. i Prol. 389.
God wait in Virgill ar termys mony a hundir Fortill expone maid me a felloun blundir a1540 Freiris Berw. 61 (B).
He went fra hame, God wait, on Weddinsday 1562-3 Winȝet I 56/23.
Cunninglie gloissit be sum weill leirnit … man, God wate, in the mergin 1567 G. Ball. 176.
To sum, God wot, he gaif tot quot a1585 Maitl. Q. 190/13.
God wait how we ar ralit on and revylit(2) a1570-86 Maitl. F. 361/38.
Withoutin feyid I wes his freind In word and wark grit God it wait 1596 Melvill 377.
Wha, God wattes and man bathe, what guid will he hathe uttered towards us

5. To get to know, to learn (about) or discover, to become acquainted with or aware of, to realise (something). a. With simple object. Also specif. in formulaic use in indentures. b. Const. dependent noun clause. c. Const. direct or indirect question. Also proverb. d. Const. infinitive. e. With (indefinite) object and noun or adverbial clause, = b or c above. f. absol. or ellipt.g. intr.Const. of.To lat (one) wit, see Lat v.¹ 8 e.The spelling with a is rare in this sense.Some examples may belong in 1 or 2 above.a. (1) pres. 1375 Barb. iv 689.
Fele folk ar sa curyous And to wyt thingis cowatous That thai throw thar gret clergy Or ellys throw thar dewilry … makis fanding Off thingis to cum to haiff knawing 1375 Barb. vii 544 (C).
May we do swa, that we cum thar On thaim or thai vit our cummyng a1400 Leg. S. xix 401.
Gyf thu vit wil myn cunctre, I was borne in Chanane c1420 Ratis R. 1779.
Nane may knaw na wyt na fynd The syndrynes of cours and kind 1455 Acts II 44/1.
To be warnyt of thir fyris … thaj sall wit thar cumyng our Tweide a1500 Lanc. 268.
Mony assemblay that Gawane gart be maid To wit his name a1508 Henr. Want of Wyse Men 55 (Bann.).
The caus of this ony man may sone wit a1500 K. Hart 808.
The king … herknit syn ane quhyle to wit his taill c1510 Prester John 310.
That ȝe dysyre gretlie to wyt and knaw ws and our regionis our landis, and quhat god we wyrscip 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 11.
Mademe efter … commendations of service maid to your grace hes dyrekit this berar to your grace to wit your mynd 1543 Corr. M. Lorraine 14.
To wryt to the lord of Kilmawaris to wit the werate [etc.] c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iv 134.
[The assise] this bill hes to ȝow sent To wit ȝour will(b) ?1438 Alex. ii 6372.
‘Lordingis, … be blyth! Ȝe salbe delyuered alsuyth.' ‘Ȝa!' said Porrus, ‘our fare quha wait, Ȝe may knaw sumpart of our stait [F. qui connoist l'apparant Cil puet auques savoir de nostre couvenant]'p.t. a1400 Leg. S. xix 486.
Quhene the kinge the suthfastnes Wyste, quhou thay Cristine was, Gret ennoy he had 1513 Doug. xii xi heading.
The queynis deces fra Turnus cleirly wist Went to the sege Eneas to resist(2) 1409 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 72.
And gif ony … wittis or persavis ony maner of grefe skath or perele … he sal with al haste that he may revele it 1468 Ayr & W. Coll. III 133.
Nane of thaim to heir se nor wit harme … bot [etc.] 1482 Reg. Morton II 246.
I sall nother wite here nor see harme … bot I sall mak hyme … warnyng 1497 Misc. Spald. C. IV 190.
Gife I may wit perell … to my said lordis persone … I sall warne him tharof 1512 Elphinstone Mun. 18 (see Lak n.¹ 5 b).
Wit 1606 Grant Chart. 202.
That nather of the saidis parteis sall heir, witt, or sie wtheris … skaythis … bot they sall aduerteis wtheris thairofb. 1375 Barb. iii 596.
Quhen that thai … Wyst that so duelt be-hynd wes he … thai him socht a1400 Leg. S. i 327.
Thane Petir west be this … his dede wes nere a1400 Leg. S. i 360.
I sal ryse the thrid day, To ger thé wit I suth say a1400 Leg. S. iii 148.
Wyste c1400 Troy-bk. i 424.
Hyr innymyis als in-to the see Quhen scho mytht witt that thai wald be … Scho wald rase wedderis one thame c1475 Wall. v 531.
Fra tyme thai wyst that Wallace leiffand was [etc.] 1535 Stewart 32281.
Quhill on the morne that tha wist weill … The Inglismen war all gane hame c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 741.
Quhilk … maid sic ane sound … That men micht weill wit on the land, That shippis wer on the sey fechtandc. pres. a1400 Leg. S. i 421.
Sa thu ma wit quhedir he A lele man or a lear be a1400 Leg. S. xi 145.
To the … tempil he is gane To wit at the goddis thare How in the batal he suld fare a1400 Leg. S. xi 366.
& bad the duk that thai suld vyte Quhat he wes that [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xviii 61.
Vyt c1420 Ratis R. 1115.
Than buskis child to spek ore ga And to wyt quhat is na & ȝa c1420 Wynt. vii 3313.
Sum Scottis men … Send thare lettrys … Gyff he wald cum … In till Scotland to make were, Quhare thai mycht wyt hym till arywe, Thai suld mete hym c1450-2 Howlat 79 (A).
Fayne wald I wyte, … Quha is fader of all foule 1456 Hay I 246/12.
Quhethir his awin legis ar behaldyn to kepe his assuraunce, in that poynt it is to wit 1460 Hay Alex. 713.
I wald wit now … quhidder thow be freind or fa a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 492.
Thair names writtin … That ilk freke … Might wit quhat he weir a1500 Rauf C. 643.
He haikit to that hall, For to wit gif Wymondis wynning was thair 1494 Deidis of Armorie 14.
Giff ȝhe will wit quhat is poill luk the armes of Banuille 1513 Doug. i vi 112.
Quhat be ȝhe, finaly wald I wyt? Or of quhat cuntre cummyn? 1533 Gau 55/10.
Desir notht to vit or seik quhow [etc.] 1570 Sat. P. xxiv 71.
Ȝe will not wit quhat Inglismen can do Quhill [etc.](b) c1475 Wall. v 346.
Refreschit he wes with meyte, drynk, and with heit; Quhilk causyt him throuch naturall cours to weit Quhar he suld sleipe 1512 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 18.
This inquest … cane nocht decide quhill thai weit geiff thai maye be lawp.t. 1563 St. A. Kirk S. 166.
Put it to fosteryng upon hyr expens, quhill sche wyst quhai awcht it 1568 Lanark B. Rec. 41.
That he wald accept the office of provestre … geff hie wyst quho the tound wald mak bailleis under himp.p. 1533 Wigtown B. Ct. 286a.
[They] salbe kepyt tyll the tyme that it maye vyttyne geif Rogere M^cKevyne hais resone to thame or nochtproverb. a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 846.
The next time ye daunce, wit whom ye take by the handd. c1475 Wall. ii 306.
Wallas, … ye wist tayne in that steid; Out our the wall I saw thaim cast him deid 1533 Boece 518a.
The king … wald be reiosit to witt thame … to be spuleȝete a1568 Bann. MS 160b/78.
I lever haif wittin him brokin his bake. a1400 Leg. S. iii 980.
We sal nocht … Conuerse for-owtine witting ma, That sal al il presumpcione Exclud a1400 Leg. S. xxii 161.
As Sancte Laurens this has vittine, He criyt one hyme a1400 Leg. S. xl 855.
This man … can hyme espy Til he viste sere placis, quhar he … suld lugit be 1494 Loutfut MS 42a.
Giff ȝe wil wit mair hereof demand [etc.] 1533 Boece 531a.
Gif ȝe desire to witt the caus quharefore we clame of new the ilis of Bute and Arrane I ansuere [etc.] c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 111.
He thocht na schame to mak it wittin, How [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4176.
Caus the same tre … be cuttit, … or euer ȝour husband wit it a1570-86 Maitl. F. 170/40 (see Hele v.¹ 3).
Wittin(b) 14.. Orphius 65.
Bot I vald vis [? erron. for vit] thé this Quhat war ȝour craft and ȝour office Than Orphius anserit … Thair is non bot my hairp and I [etc.]f. pres. a1400 Leg. S. i 643.
The prefet sad: ‘Is thu nocht he [etc.] … ' Than Petir cane the prefet wit And sad [etc.] 1456 Hay II 147/12.
Here declaris the … philosophour how a man suld ken hym self … gif thou will knaw all thingis … thou mon first wit how noble … thy saule is … And quhen thou sall have knaulage of this, thou sall lychtly knaw all othir thingis that thou lykis to witt a1500 Rauf C. 249.
He said: ‘I haue na knawledge [etc.] … And I sall say thee the suith … That thow sall wit weill aneuch or I fra the wend' 1571 J. Maitland in Sat. P. xxvii 71.
Bewar we may be walteritt or we witt(b) 1456 Hay I 150/12.
[He] brekis his company subtily, that the king wate nochtp.t. 14.. Orphius 42.
Euer we vost scho gaif ane skirll And ay sensyne scho vas deidlyk a1500 Henr. Fab. 2898.
The gled … with ane wisk, or owthir off thame wist, … claucht his cluke betuix thame c1610 Lanark B. Rec. 121.
Or I wist, thay wer in otheres loges(b) 1591-2 Rob Stene 8.
Thinking all lesum that sche liftit, Sa scho wrakit or scho wistitp.p. c1400 Troy-bk. ii 356 (C).
I propone … It for to sent … some man to Anentes whome … When it is witten … To Vlixes shall all the blame Of it be inscribit a1487 Gud Wyf & D. 101.
Than ‘had I wittyn’ will thai say, With mony ‘allas’ 1535–6 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 449.
Quhilk hes generit ane sclander to us unkend quhilk and we had wittin on na wis wald have tholit 1596 Dalr. II 444/22.
Leist perchance his counsel gif the peple had witne, had bene turnetg. 14.. Acts I 9/2.
He sal be haldyn in prisoun quhil the nixt court sa that men may weit of his estate 1460 Hay Alex. 762.
Nicolas … Bad him … pas his father till And that sone eft he suld wit of his will 1460 Hay Alex. 3435.
Gyf Alexander wist now of all this gadering Her is baith lois and lordschipe for to wyn c1475 Wall. ix 1219.
Thai … past off Wallace will to wytt a1500 Prestis of Peblis 1203.
Betwixt vs twa wit he of vnkyndnes, … he wil [etc.]

6. To inquire (at a person), to investigate (one's) welfare.pres. a1500 Seven S. 2026.
On morne this burges wald nocht sit Quhill he his pyot past to wit And sperit his deir how couth scho dop.t. 1375 Barb. xii 156.
He wyttyt [C. askit] at thaim of thar far

7. To understand, comprehend, gain understanding of (a state, language, etc.). a. With simple object. Also reflex. b. With clause object.a. pres. 1375 Barb. i 238.
He that ay has levyt fre May nocht knaw weill the propyrte … That is cowplyt to … thyrldome Bot gyff he had assayit it Than all perquer he suld it wyt a1400 Leg. S. ix 70.
Myne answer wele wat he a1400 Leg. S. xviii 404.
Thu lat me wyt … & tel me the suthfastnes Of al thi lyfe … For God has send me, … In-to this foreste … Thi lyfe, thi stat, al hal to vet c1460 Thewis Wysmen 442.
Thai wald be prowd … Thocht thai the payment na-thing vat 15… Edinb. Univ. MS La.iv.6.
That weill I wait of womanheid I sall hir luff till I be deidp.t. 1436 Coll. Aberd. & B. 394.
[He] requirit me of myne office to giff knawlagis be a gude assise of al thir thingis forsaide that knew and viste this processep.p. a1400 Leg. S. xxvii 1119.
For quhat man is … sa parfyt That can tell Godis priuite, That be na way ma witine be a1561 Q. Kennedy Breif Tract. (ed.) 125/26.
Quhen the mervalous verkis of our Saluiour can nocht be comprehendit in thame seluis than ar tha to be considderit and wyit be ane other of his vorkisreflex. 1634 Johnston Diary I 216.
Let us wayte our selvesb. a1400 Leg. S. iii 508.
Gyf thu wil trew … in God thu may Knaw this thinge that I thé say And bot-gyf thu will hertly trow Thu vittis nocht thu speris now [L. nunquam tu ad imaginem hujus veritatis attinges] 1456 Hay I 20/4.
Thare he dois us to wit that in him ar twa willis, both manlyke and godlyke 1456 Hay I 225/20.
It is eith to wit that na man wald be content that [etc.]

8. intr.To have experience of (a state). c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 44.
A sely prisoner … That … wote of noght bot wo a1500 K. Hart 934.
That fayr sweit thing, … That never wist of vyce nor violence, Bot euirmore is mareit with Mesour a1500 Prestis of Peblis 239 (A).
Thus wist he neuer of wo bot ay of wele a1568 Pedder C. 3.
Pedder knavis … That wait of nocht bot beggartie

9. tr.To expect, feel certain, be sure of a future event or situation. Variously const. Also absol.Henr. Fab. 279 may belong in 11 b below. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1556.
‘Lo’ quod the mous ‘This is the samin lyoun [etc.] … Bot we him help, off souccour wait, he nane' a1500 Henr. Fab. 1876.
Till heir, quhen thay wist weill to de, Thair cairfull sang a1500 K. Hart 86.
This cumlie court … That noy hes none … And ar nocht wount for wo to woun and weip; Full sendill sad … No wandreth wait ay wenis welth endureabsol. a1500 Henr. Fab. 279.
‘Bot how lang will this lest?’ ‘For euermair, I wait, and langer to’

10. To cause to know, to inform (someone) of (something), to advise or instruct (someone) to do (something). 14.. Orphius 47.
I ȝow reid Ȝe vyd na ladyis of my deid 1645 Glasgow B. Rec. II 82.
A letter direct to them be the committie of estates witing them to wait in Glasgow

11. a. In injunctions: Understand, be assured, know, you may (should) understand, etc., we wish you to understand, also in collocation with Ples(e v. 3 d and Like v.¹ 2 (6), q.v. for examples. b. In parenthetic phrases or clauses: Know (well), I know, etc. c. I wot (not) but.a. (1) 1375 Barb. iv 651.
Bot wyt ȝe weill with-outyn lesing That [etc.] 1380 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 3.
Wit al men ws Robert Erle of Fyf … til have [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xi 58.
& anence that thu writtis me … Vit thu that I mon fyrste fulfill Tha thingis quhare-for I ame send ?1438 Alex. ii 2969.
Wit thow that he was stith in stour 1416 Liber Melros II 539.
Wit yhoure vniversite that [etc.] 1445 Reg. Episc. Morav. 219.
Wit ye that … it is nocht … our entent to [etc.] c1475 Wall. iii 66.
Wytt yhe thai war a full glaid cumpanye a1500 Seven S. 374.
Wit ȝe his hart was full of sorowe c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 177.
Wit ye thay did thair baner hye display c1515–24 Innes Rev. XV 189.
Vyt ȝe ȝe sall rasave fre the berar her off ane cabok that veys halfe stane dewyn veyt 1673 Argyll Justic. Rec. 23.
Wit ye us to [etc.](b) 1379 Douglas Chart. 28.
Wete yhe me, for me and myn ayres … haue … remittyt … all my rycht [etc.](c) 1478 Milne-Home MSS 24.
Wot ye me as balȝe to ane nobill man(d) 1527 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 88.
Weit ye that [etc.] 1534 St. P. Henry VIII IV i 666.
Weit ȝe, that I hayff rasawit ȝour writyngis fra Pate Nesbet 1536 Douglas Corr. 142.
Weit ȝe that I am hayll and feyr at the makyn off this byll(2) a1400 Leg. S. xix 45.
Christofor … sad he … wald his seruand be. & wittis that the kinge blyth was than, Seand the profere of syk a mane a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 125.
Sir king, wittis … That oure barnes ar als dere Til ws as thi barne is to thé 1441 (1450) Reg. Great S. 69/2.
Wittis me to hafe gevin … and be this … charter to haf confermyt [etc.] 1460 Innes Sketches 443.
Johne of Yle, Erle of Ross ande lord of the Ilis … witte vs to haue gevyn ande grantit [etc.] 1494 Loutfut MS 31a.
And wittis that aspid beris in hir heid the … escharbukle 1500 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. I 76.
Wit ws … till hafen consentit … that our cousing [etc.] — a1599 Rollock Wks. I 306.
Befoir thou disludge out of this bodie, … wit weill of ane better(3) a1400 Leg. S. xi 188.
Quhene thai say [etc.] … Thu sal wel wit [etc.] a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 23.
Thu sal wit, a tribone is he That [etc.] 1433 Swintons xxxviii.
Yhoure universite mot wit that [etc.] c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 128.
Bot in this case thou sall wele knawe and witt [etc.] 1481 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 462.
Wite a1500 Seven S. 2045.
Now may ȝe wit [etc.] a1500 Seven S. 2236.
The empriour said for this that tald haf ȝe Sall wyte the morne my son sall de 1530 Exch. R. XV 585.
Schir Alexander, ye sall wytt that [etc.] 1547–8 Corr. M. Lorraine 218.
Allswa your grace sall wyte at I hawe gottin sa mony men as [etc.] c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 134.
Bot ȝe sall wit thair was na thing absent Of gold, nor silk [etc.] c1552 Lynd. Mon. 565.
Ȝe may weill wytt God wrocht all for the best 1570 Sat. P. x 57.
Thow sall wit, he was sone natural To James the Fyft 1588 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS 422/2.
Ye sall wit that thair is a day of law, the v and vi days of Februar nixt(b) ?1438 Alex. i 420.
Beuschir, ȝe wait richt weill that I Am constabill c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 398.
Weill ȝe wait, wiffis, that [etc.] 16.. J. Row Cupp of Bon-Accord 2b.
The Kirk of Scotland was once … a bony grammer schoole and well ye watt shee had skill in Regimen et concordantia(c) 1580 Sc. Hist. Rev. XXI 141.
Ȝour nobil grece may veit that [etc.](4) c1475 Wall. ix 1166.
Falows … I do yow weill to wyt; Considyr weill this place, and wndirstand, That [etc.] 1496 Acta Conc. II 28.
We do you to wit that the Kingis hienes with the avise of his Lordis of Consale [etc.](5) 1525 Douglas Corr. 103.
My Lorde, … I commend my hartlie service to ȝoure grace, quhilk pleis uitt 1526 Douglas Corr. 113.
Uit 1530 Exch. R. XV 585.
Plesset yowr lordschip to wet that [etc.] 1536 Douglas Corr. 144.
Pleased the same to wite, the King of Scottis is departid out of Scotland 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 269.
Pleis yowr grace witt I [etc.] c1570 Breadalbane Lett.
It pleis ȝour laidyship to wit [etc.] 1573 Reg. Morton I 78.
Please wit I writt to ȝow befor [etc.] 1632 Aberd. Council Lett. I 359.
Freinds, pleas witt that [etc.]b. (1) 1375 Barb. ii 2.
Bot wyt ȝe weile he wes full blyth 1375 Barb. ii 42.
Quhat-sa-euyr maid the debate Thar-throuch he deyt weill I wat ?1438 Alex. ii 2290.
Ȝour lufe, I wait [F. Bien sai] weill deir sall by c1450-2 Howlat 382 (A).
Dowglas … Of Scotland the were wall, wit ȝe but wene c1450-2 Howlat 659 (A).
Prelatis, I wist, Welcummit thaim a1500 Henr. Fab. 710.
I can not wirk, ȝe wait c1475 Wall. xi 733.
Strenthis was left, witt ye, all desolate a1500 Prestis of Peblis 614.
For wit thow weil Hal binks ar ay slidder 1513 Doug. i Prol. 184.
Sik thingis nocht attentik ar, wait we 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 243.
Quhai I wayt wilbe glad … to sped tham to your grace c1590 Fowler I 367/9.
Smuldred fyre, ye wote, Dothe burne moste hote 1650 Glasgow Chart. II 9.
Thairfore, witt ye me, forseing [etc.](2) a1400 Leg. S. vi 172.
Of pollucione … Grovis, as ve vat, giltines c1420 Wynt. vii 517.
‘I wes,’ he sayd, ‘in Normandy Bydand, as yhe wyst, a quhille’(3) ?1438 Alex. ii 2782.
This hes discumfit Thare hartis … quha may thame wyt(4) 1562-3 Winȝet I 86/3.
To affirm [etc.] … with (I wate nocht quhat) sum spiritual imaginatiounc. a1500 Sir Eger 1346.
And I his tale for to impele I wot not but it may be leele 1586–7 Rait & Cameron King James's Secret 179.
I vot but ye wold so farr pittie my cace as it volde [etc.]