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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

KET, n.¹ Also kett (s.Sc. 1801 J. Leyden Compl. Scot. 317; Lth., s.Sc. 1808 Jam.); †keth. [kɛt, Bwk. + kæt]

1. Carrion, tainted flesh, esp. the flesh of a sheep that has died from accident or disease (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai, Rxb. 1959); horse-flesh (s.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also fig. and attrib. Now only dial. in Eng.Slk. 1818 Hogg Wool-gatherer (1874) 68:
Gang after your braw gallant, wi' your oxterfu' ket [baby]!s.Sc. 1859 Bards of Border (Watson) 105:
She had twined the dominie o' the ket On whilk he had thrie times dyned.Rxb. 1884 W. Brockie Yetholm Gypsies 124:
The guidwife enquired if his father had had an easy death. “He did not,” replied he, “loup and spang like mony ane, for deil rive't was on him but bare kett!”Bwk. 1919 T.S.D.C.:
A keth butcher was one who bought animals to save them from dying.

Hence kettit, spent, emaciated, wizened. Also with oot. The 1923 quot. may however belong to Ket, v., 1. (2).Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 136:
Till, peeled o' flesh by vile ambition's nither, 'Tis kettit sae its ribs scarce hing thegither.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Kettit oot, that is no longer fertile or productive.

2. Rubbish, trash (Bwk. 1959). Also in n.Eng. dial.