a royal burgh and seaport-town of Scotland, county of Fife, situated on the north coast of the Firth of Forth, 12 miles N. by E. of Edinburgh. It consists chiefly of three narrow streets, with a species of square in the centre. In the principal or High street are a number of antique houses, the fronts of which are generally decorated with inscriptions and dates. Dysart House, the residence of the Earl of Rosslyn, is on the west side of the town. Dysart is a place of great antiquity, being mentioned so early as 874, when the Danes invaded Fife. It was made a royal burgh in the reign of James V. The trade of Dysart was formerly very considerable, and acquired for it the name of "Little Holland;" but it is now unimportant, the chief exports being coal. The harbour of the town is tolerably good,—and has attached to it a wet-dock. The weaving of checks and ticks constitute the chief employment of the inhabitants. It unites with Kirkcaldy, Burntisland, and Kinghorn, in returning a member to parliament. Pop. (1851) of municipal burgh 1610; of parliamentary burgh 8041.