Also 7–8 gilt. [In sense 1 = GILLOT 1, of which it is perh. a syncopated form (though analogies are wanting). Sense 2 appears to be influenced by JILT v., whence also sense 4.]
† 1. A woman who has lost her chastity; a harlot or strumpet; a kept mistress. Obs.
1672. Wycherley, Love in Wood, Dram. Pers., Mrs. Crossbite, an old cheating Jilt, and Bawd to her Daughter.
1683. Kennett, trans. Erasm. on Folly, 59. He whose wife is a common jilt … and yet swears she is as chast as an untouch’d virgin.
1702. Eng. Theophrast., 36. Is he not as vile a wretch, as she a mercenary gilt?
1815. W. H. Ireland, Scribbleomania, 232. A Jilt most consummate, and impudent Doxie.
2. ‘A woman who gives her lover hopes, and deceives him’ (J.); one who capriciously casts off a lover after giving him encouragement. (The current sense.)
1674. Blount, Glossogr. (ed. 4), Gilt or Jilt, a Cheat, or Woman that has defeated her Gallant in his Amours.
1680. Otway, Orphan, I. i. 66. Dilatory Fortune plays the Jilt With the brave noble honest gallant Man, To throw herself away on Fools and Knaves.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 288, ¶ 1. When you spoke of the Jilts and Coquets.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic., III. lxxxi. Lord W—m … was waiting in expectation of my coming, and might … imagine I was playing the jilt.
a. 1845. Barham, Ingol. Leg., Marie Mignot, v. They’ll teach you the guilt Of coquetting and ogling, and playing the jilt.
b. Rarely applied to a man.
1865. Sat. Rev., 19 Aug., 240/2. The offences of the jilt, whether man or maiden, are not, it is true, the most grievous that can be committed against society.
3. Sc. A contemptuous term for a girl or young woman: = JILLET.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., viii. Though she’s but a dirty jilt. Ibid. (1818), Hrt. Midl., xxix. His wheat-close, you crazed jilt!
† 4. ? A deception: cf. JILT v. 2. Obs.
1683. E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Mystic Div., 63. I beleev it will be a slurr and blurr, or a base-foul Jilt upon themselvs.
Hence Jiltish a., having the character of, or characteristic of, a jilt; Jiltship (nonce-wd.), a mock title for a jilt.
1690. Crowne, Eng. Frier, IV. 31. I let him know how your Jiltship has serv’d him.
1787. Burns, Addr. for Miss Fontenelle, 33. The wretch in love, Who long with jiltish arts and airs hast strove.
1897. Blackmore, in Blackw. Mag., June, 780. Eyes … wavering jiltish, deceitful.
