elt meaning: definition, etymology

elt

verb

Etymology From Middle English elten (“to mold, knead, work”), from Old Norse elta (“to chase, hunt, knead”), from Proto-Germanic *alatjaną (“to drive, force, move”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁elh₂- (“to drive, move, go”). Cognate with Danish ælte (“to knead”), Swedish älta (“to dwell upon, brood, stir, knead”), Norwegian elte (“to knead”), Norwegian elta (“to pursue, plod”), Icelandic elta (“to chase”).

Northern England, Scotland, UK, Dialectal To injure (anything) by rough handling; handle roughly.

Du's eltin dat creature to death, boy!?

Northern England, Scotland, UK, Dialectal To begrime; soil with mud; daub; smear.

Whin shü cam oot an fann me dere Wi peenie fairlins eltit.
Mi böts ir a' eltit wi' glaar.

1 more example

He was elt(er)ed wi' gutters fae head to foot.

Northern England, Scotland, UK, Dialectal To work persistently or laboriously; be occupied in working (e.g. in the earth, rake among dirt, etc.).

Northern England, Scotland, UK, Dialectal To meddle; interfere.

Northern England, Scotland, UK, Dialectal To knead dough; stir dough previously kneaded to a proper consistency before baking.

Northern England, Scotland, UK, Dialectal To become soft; become moist, as damp earth.