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

(Witeles,) Wyt(e)les, adj. Also: wytless, vytles, waitless. [e.m.E. witelesse (Spenser); Wit(e n.] Blameless, innocent.(a) 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 27.
Thai grantit the blud & alegit that thai var vytles for caus [etc.] 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4779.
Scho was wyteles a lytill we; Wantones had the wyte 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4799.
The preist of all this was wyteles Of my baudrie and brukilnes 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 240.
Innocent pover personis … wyteles of the halding thairof 1600-1610 Melvill 578.
Iff it fall out any utherwayis … we ar wytles 1609 Crim. Trials III 45.
[He] cryed … 'My lord! Mak not ȝour selff a tratour and me boith!' To quhom my lord ansuerit, ‘I am wytles’ 1617 Ritchie Ch. S. Baldred 163.
Alexander Daviesone did draw his quhinger also and so suld not be altogidder wytless(b) 1601 Ellon Presb. 32.
Nane of thaim wes waitless of the offence