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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PERFIT, adj., adv., v. Also perfite, -fitt, -fyte, -fight, -fet, -feet, -fate; parfit; perfe(c)(k), pairfec'. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. perfect. [adj. ′pɛrfɪt, ′pɛrfəit, †-′fəit, ′pɛrfɪk; v. pər′fɛk, pər′fəit]

I. adj. 1. As in Eng. Hence perfiteness, n., perfection (Sc. 1808 Jam.), perfytlie, perfec(k)ly, adv., perfectly; ¶perfeckshous, of the nature of perfection, absolutely perfect. Nonce and obs. in Eng.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 165:
Like Dian, they will seem perfite.Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1863) I. 303:
The tread of the troops was like the tread o' ae giant — sae perfate was their discippleen.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers xviii.:
Dinna be feart — practice maks perfiteness.Sc. 1868 G. Webster Strathbrachan III. i.:
There was nothing but perfightness and regularity, pointedness, and elegant economy.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb viii.:
The breid's a' perfeckly gweed — ate it this moment, sir.e.Lth. 1876 J. Teenan Song and Satire 19:
He thinks the puir should perfek be, Models o' grace and purity.Abd. 1880 W. Robbie Yonderton xi.:
Weel, man, afore aw gat throw wi' that aw wis jist perfytlie deen oot.Sc. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped xxix.:
I'll be perfec'ly honest with ye.Gsw. 1889 A. G. Murdoch Readings I. 15:
The rabbit itsel's jist perfeckshous, . . . as tender's a bit o' chicken!Lth. 1890 M. Oliphant Kirsteen xli.:
It's a comfort to make the line of her gown perfitt if anything can ever be called perfitt in this imperfitt world.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 7:
A creeper-kivvert cottage wui its gairdeen a perfeet sotter o bonnie flooers.wm.Sc. 1931 Gsw. Herald (14 March):
The scorin' wis jist as pairfec' as onything he could hae dune hissel'.

2. Perfected, completed, quite finished. Obs. in Eng.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 118:
A Gentleman, perfyte and new.

Comb. perfect age, mainly in Sc. legal contexts: full age, the age at which one is legally competent for some specified function, gen. the age of majority, twenty-one years, a translation of Lat. perfecta aetas, in Roman Law the age of twenty-five; hence imperfect age, minority, Pupillarity.Sc. 1773 Erskine Institute i. vii. § 35:
The law indulges to a minor the space of four years after his perfect age, within which he can sue for the reduction of any deed he may have granted to his own prejudice while he was yet a minor.Sc. 1773 Lord Monboddo Language I. 11:
When he comes to be of perfect age.

3. Skilled, proficient, expert, fully trained (Sc. 1808 Jam.); hence perfiteness, n., perfection, expertness, exactness (Sc. 1808 Jam., 1909 N.E.D.).Sc. 1736 Ramsay Proverbs (1776) 79:
Use makes perfyteness.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
Perfit(e). The term is still used to denote one who is exact in doing any work, or who does it neatly. The accent is on the last syllable.

II. adv. 1. Perfectly, faultlessly.Edb. 1801 J. Thomson Poems 160:
Though aff-hand, nane cou'd them [verses] mend, Ye had them sae perfite.Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads II. 51:
I will write a broad letter, And write it sae perfite.w.Lth. 1892 R. Steuart Legends 194:
I couldna say them sae perfite.

2. Completely, absolutely.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers iv.:
The wee bodies are perfect daft about him.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 154:
I'm perfect vext tae be oot the road.e.Lth. 1902 J. Lumsden Toorle 96:
Man! I'se be beggar'd — perfit penniless.

III. v. 1. To complete (a task, etc.), finish (a job). Ppl.adj. perfited, perfytit, completed, finished, done (Slk. 1825 Jam.).Ork. 1889 Ellis E.E.P. V. 809:
But no perfytin what he micht.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (4 Sept.):
I wis juist gotten dis perfytit whin Sibbie cries.

2. Specif. to train or instruct (a person) completely in some trade, skill, or profession. Obs. in Eng. Ppl.adj. perfited, thoroughly grounded in a subject, completely accomplished or adept, “finished”.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Poet. Wks. (S.T.S.) 182:
An' gin he likes, can lear him too to write, An' in a thousand other things perfite.Ags. 1819 A. Balfour Campbell I. lii.:
It will take five or sax years to perfyte him in that language.Ayr. 1832 Galt Stanley Buxton II. x.:
I came to London to make myself more artful in the trade, intending when completely perfited, that is, up to a' things, to return to my native town, there to begin business.wm.Sc. 1835 Laird of Logan 136:
Your nearly perfited in your trade, doctor.