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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

‡RAITH, n. Also reath, reth (Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales 107); rett; erron. wraith (Abd. 1902 J. Ogilvie J. Ogilvie 22).

1. A quarter of a year, a period of three months (Bnff., Abd. 1967).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 12:
And fu soon as the jimp three raiths was gane, The daintiest littleane bonny Jean fuish hame.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 129:
You needna grudge to draw your breath For little mair than haf a reath.Abd. 1802 Earl of Errol in Child Ballads (1892) IV. 285:
Ye tak this well-fared may, And keep her three roun raiths o a year, An even at the three raiths' end I sall draw near.Cai. 1842 J. T. Calder Sketches 227:
There was a particular time for visiting it [a holy loch], viz., the first Monday of the “reath,” or quarter.Fif. c.1850 R. Peattie MS.:
She's awa' takkin' a raith at the saut watter.ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 151:
The wind was said to blow during the quarter — the “raith” — in that direction in which it blew during the first day of the quarter.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (14 May):
Der dat muckle ta dü an' tuik aboot at dis rett o' da year.Abd. 1927 E. S. Rae Hansel fae Hame 56:
I [cat] had a bield, a lilac tree . . . An' there I crouched five raith an' mair.

2. Specif.: a term at school, a three-monthly period of full-time education.ne.Sc. 1826 Aberdeen Censor 101:
I then, in a loud country voice, told them of my intention, if possible, to gain a “gude buss,” for the attainment of which I was to take a “raith's schuling” with them.Fif. c.1850 R. Peattie MS.:
He taen a raith at schule noos an 'ans.Abd. 1867 Mrs. Allardyce Goodwife xii.:
We leet the damishell awa To get a raith o' lair.Abd. 1950 A. Keith Autobiog. 58:
I should have a wraith in Aberdeen [University].