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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

JEEST, n.¹, v.¹ Also jeast, je(i)st, jist, g(e)ist; and irreg. joust (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 56), jost- (Gsw. 1924 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1909) 201), joice. [dʒist]

I. n. A joist, a floor-beam (Sc. 1825 Jam.). Gen.Sc.Rxb. 1722 J. Wilson Memories of Hawick (1858) 67:
For gist to the steeple.Ags. 1738 Carmyllie Session Rec. MS. (23 Oct.):
For a Jest to the loft and mending the Pulpit . . . £1: 08: 00.Rs. 1789 W. MacGill Old Ross-shire (1909) II. 194:
11 jeasts 16 sh. each.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan 137:
Catch rather at the jeists or the tackling o' the bell.m.Lth. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xv.:
The ruffin whan I sat doun was eneuch to start the geists.Abd. 1930 Abd. Univ. Review (March) 106:
[Hi]s heid cried knyte o' the jeest!m.Sc. 1988 William Neill Making Tracks 51:
Terpsichore, lowpin frae flair tae jeest
kens I'm owre stiff tae birl nou in her wey.

II. v. To support with joists. Vbl.n. je(a)sting, geisting, the timber work of joists.Sc. 1700 Fire in Edb., 3 Feb. (Pamphlet):
Most of the Safe Lintels of Doors and Windows being of Timber, which hath communication with the Lath and Geisting, and the Geisting very slender, . . . all Houses to be Built or Rebuilt in Edinburgh, be Geisted with good square Geists of a competent Thickness.Sc. 1705 J. Spreull Accompt Current (1882) 28:
Many great Woods of Firr in the North and West Highlands for Jeasting.Ayr. 1773 D. Landsborough Contrib. to Local Hist. 211:
To lathing & jesting, &c. . . . £46 8 0.