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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†DEBAIT, v. “Used in a singular sense in Perths., also in the South of Scot. When one has eat as much at a meal as he deems sufficient, and thinks it is time to lay down his knife and fork, it is commonly said, I'll debait now” (Per., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.2).
[O.Sc. has debate, debait, to abate, reduce, a.1400; also found in Mid.Eng., but obs. in St.Eng. since 17th cent. From de, pref., absolutely, completely, + bate, aphetic form of abate.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Debait v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/debait>
