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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MENTO, n. Also mainto, minta. In phrs. in or out of one's mento, under or free from obligation to someone (Abd. 1825 Jam., Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 113, s.v. merciment), in or out of the power of.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS.:
Fan a gey puckle ware cam in wi' a tide Tam cairriet it up oot o' the sea's minta till sic time's Kelpie got it driven up to the kelp links.

[Orig. uncertain. The form suggests O.Fr. (cf. dinto s.v. Dint, n.1), and may be a reduced form of mesnattie, manatie, the right of seigneur, baronial power].

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"Mento n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 23 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mento>

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