▪ I. meith, n. Sc.
(miːθ)
Forms: 6 meithe, 6–7 meth, 8 myth, meeth, 9 meethe, meath, 6– meith.
[app. a. ON. mið a mark, a fishing-bank ‘indicated by prominences or landmarks on shore’ (Vigf.); but associated with L. mēta boundary, goal, mete n.
The OE. mǽþ, ME. methe, due measure, moderation, seems to be unconnected.]
1. A landmark or sea-mark; a boundary, goal.
| 1513 Douglas æneis v. iv. 1 With this thai gan towart the meithe approche. Ibid. xiv. 16 The donk nycht had rone almaist evin Hir myd cours or methis in the hevin. 1579 Burgh Rec. Edin. (1882) IV. 124 To vesy thair meithis and boundis. a 1680 Dallas Stiles (1697) 710 The old Bounds, Marches and Meiths of the same [Lands]. 1701 Brand Descr. Orkney, etc. (1703) 145 The House of Mey formerly mentioned is a Myth, Sign or Mark, much observed by Saillers. 1813 Beattie Poems (1871) 35 Mark nor meith ye wadna ken. 1824 Scott St. Ronan's iii, They had been ower the neighbour's ground they had leave on up to the march, and they werena just to ken meiths when the moor⁓fowl got up. 1899 J. Spence Shetl. Folk-lore 130 A given straight course, indicated by meiths or marks on the land. |
2. A measurement.
| 1726 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1889) 189 There shall be two foot more deepness..after meiths taken at the beg stone. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 189 As they look't up ilk lofty wa', Takin' their meiths for its downfa', That they may strike and stroy. |
▪ II. meith, v. Sc.
(miːθ)
Also 6 meth, 7 meath, 9 mith.
[f. prec. Cf. ON. miða to mark the position of something.]
trans. To bound or mark out.
| c 1575 Balfour's Practicks (1754) 438 Landis..merchit and meithit be trew and leill men of the countrey. 1679 in Cramond Ann. Banff (1891) I. 158 That the said common way be meithed and merched on the south syde of the Colle⁓hill. 1899 J. Spence Shetl. Folk-lore 47 A landmark at sea for meithing (marking) the Burgascurs. |