Sir Gibbie

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FOOTNOTES:


1 It amuses a Scotchman to find that the word cakes, as in "The Land of Cakes," is taken, not only by foreigners, but by some English people -- as how, indeed, should it be otherwise? -- to mean compositions of flour, more or less enriched, and generally appreciable; whereas, in fact, it stands for the dryest, simplest preparation in the world. The genuine cakes is -- (My grammar follows usage: cakes is; broth are.) -- literally nothing but oatmeal made into a dough with cold water and dried over the fire -- sometimes then in front of it as well.

2 Metrical paraphrases of passages of Scripture, always to be found at the end of the Bibles printed for Scotland.

3 See Sir Thomas Dick Lauder's account of the Morayshire Floods in 1829 (1st Ed., p. 181) -- an enchanting book, especially to one whose earliest memories are interwoven with water-floods. For details in such kind here given, I am much indebted to it. Again and again, as I have been writing, has it rendered me miserable -- my tale showing so flat and poor beside Sir Thomas's narrative. Known to me from childhood, it wakes in me far more wonder and pleasure now, than it did even in the days when the marvel of things came more to the surface.

Note from John Bechard, creator of this Electronic text.

The following is a list of Scottish words which are found in George MacDonald's "Sir Gibbie". I have compiled this list myself and worked out the definitions from context with the help of Margaret West, from Leven in Fife, Scotland, and also by referring to a word list found in a collection of poems by Robert Burns and "Chamber's Scots Dialect Dictionary from the 17th century to the Present" c. 1911. I have tried to be as thorough as possible given the limited resources and welcome any feedback on this list which may be wrong (my e-mail address is JaBBechard@aol.com). This was never meant to be a comprehensive list of the National Scottish Language, but rather an aid to understanding some of the conversations in this text which are carried out in the Broad Scots. I do apologise for any mistakes or omissions. I aimed for my list to be very comprehensive, and it often repeats the same word in a plural or diminutive form. As well, it includes words that are quite obvious to native English speakers, only spelled in such a way to demonstrate the local pronunciation.

There is a web site under construction which will feature the Scottish language; and the National Scottish Dictionary can be consulted if you have access to one.

This list is a compressed form that consists of three columns for 'word', 'definition', and 'additional notes'. It is set up with a comma between each item and a hard return at the end of each definition. This means that this section could easily be cut and pasted into its own text file and imported into a database or spreadsheet as a comma separated variable file (.csv file). Failing that, you could do a search and replace for commas in this section (I have not used any commas in my words, definitions or notes) and replace the commas with spaces or tabs.

Word,Definition,Notes
a',all; every,also have
a' body,everyone; everybody,
a' thing,everything; anything,
aboot,about,
absteen,abstain,
abune,above; up,
accoont,account,
accordin',according,
accre,acre,
ae,one,
aff,off; away; past; beyond,
affrontit,affronted; disgraced,also ashamed; shamed afore,before; in front of,
aften,often,
again,against; opposed to,also again again',against,
agreeable,in agreement; willing,
Ahchan,Achan,reference to Joshua 7

ahin',behind; after; at the back of,
ahint,behind; after; at the back of,
aiblins,perhaps; possibly,

aigles,eagles,
Aigypt,Egypt,
ain,own,also one
aipple,apple,
airm,arm,
airmour,armour,
airms,arms,also coat of arms; crest airt,quarter; direction; compass point, airthquack,earthquake,
airts,quarters; directions; compass points, aiss,ashes,
ait,eat,
aiten,eaten,
aith,oath,
aither,either,
aiven,even,
alane,alone,
alloo,allow,
allooin',allowing,
Almichty,Almighty; God,
amids,amidst,
amo',among,
an',and,
ance,once,
ane,one,also a single person or thing aneath,beneath; under,
anent,opposite to; in front of,also concerning aneth,beneath; under,
'aneth,beneath; under,
angert,angered; angry,also grieved
anither,another,
anker,liquid measure of 4 gallons,
a'ready,already,
arrenge,arrange,
as lang's,as long as,
as sune's,as soon as,
ashmy,asthma,
'at,that,
at farest,at the farthest,also at the latest ates,hates,
a'thegither,all together,
a'thing,everything; anything,
'at'll,that will,
'at's,that is,
attreebute,attribute,
atween,between,
'atween,between,
auld,old,
auld langsyne,old days of long ago,also old friendship auld-fashioned,old-fashioned,
auncient,ancient,
Aw,I,also all; owning
awa,away,
awa',away,
awfu',awful,
Awva!,At all!,exclamation of surprise; contempt ay,yes; indeed,exclamation of surprise; wonder aye,yes; indeed,
ayont,beyond; after,
bairn,child,
bairnies,little children,diminutive bairns,children,
baith,both,
bale-fire,any large fire; bonfire,
ballant,ballad; song,
ballants,ballads; songs,
banes,bones,
bannin',cursing; swearing; abuse; scold, bannock,round flat gridle-baked cake, Barebanes,bare bones (i.e. death),
barkin',barking,
bawbee,half penny,
bealt,festered,
beastie,beast; animal,diminutive to express sympathy or affection becomin',becoming,
beets,boots,
beginnin',beginning,
behaud,withhold; wait; delay,also behold bein',being,
beirin',bearing; allowing,
belang,belong,
believet,believed,
believe't,believe it,
ben,in; inside; into; within; inwards,also inner room be't,be it,
bethink (oneself),stop to think; reflect, beuk,book,also Bible
Bible-word,word of honour,
bicker,wooden vessel,
bidden,abided; stayed,
biddin',bidding,
bide,endure; bear; remain; live,also desire; wish bidena,do not bide; do not stay,
bides,endures; bears; remains; lives,also stays for bield,protection; shelter; cover,
bigg,build,
biggit,built,
bilin',boiling,also the whole quantity bin',bind,
binna,be not,
birdie,little bird,diminutive
birdies,little birds,diminutive
birk,birch tree,
birks,birch trees,
bit,but; bit,also little-diminutive blate,over-modest; bashful; shy,
blaw,blow,
blawin',blowing,
bleck,black; smut,also nonplus; perplex blecks,nonplusses; perplexes,
bledder,bleater; snipe,also foolish or idle talker bleedin',bleeding,
blessin's,blessings,
blest,blessed,
blether,talk nonsense; babble; boast, blethers,talks nonsense; babbles; boasts, blew,blue,
blin't,blinded,
blude,blood,
bluidy,bloody,
boady,body,
boasoms,bosoms,
boatle,bottle (of whisky),
boddom,bottom,
bodies,people; fellows; folk,
bodit,boded,
body,person; fellow,also body
bonnie,good; beautiful; pretty; handsome, bonniest,best; most beautiful; prettiest, bonny,good; beautiful; pretty; handsome, boortree,shrub elder,
bosky,wild; unfrequented,
bossie,large wooden bowl,serving bowl boucht,bought,
bow-ribbit,bent in the ribs,
brackens,bracken; coarse fern,
brae,hill; hillside; high ground by a river, brainch,branch,
brainches,branches,
braird,first sprouting of young grain, brak,break,
brakfast,breakfast,
brakin',breaking,
brander,grating; gridiron; trestle, bra'ner,grating; gridiron; trestle, braw,beautiful; good; fine,also lovely (girl); handsome (boy) bray,press; squeeze; push,
bree,brew; whisky; broth; gravy,
breeks,breeches; trousers,
breist,breast,
breistie,little breast,diminutive
breith,breath,
bridle,modify,
brither,brother,
brithers,brothers; fellows,
brocken,broken,
brods,boards; (book covers),
broo,brow,
broom,shrub with bright yellow flowers, broonie,brownie; benevolent elf,
broonies,brownies; benevolent elves, brose,water; soup; meal,
broucht,brought,
brunt,burned,
buik,book,also Bible
buiks,books,
bun'le,bundle,
burn,water; stream; brook,
burnie,little stream,diminutive
bursten,burst,
buss,bush,
butterflees,butterflies,
buyin',buying,
by ordinar',out of the ordinary; supernatural, byke,hive; swarm; crowd,
byre,cowshed,
byres,cowsheds,
ca',call; name,
ca'd,called,
ca'in,calling,
ca'in',calling,
cairried,carried,
cairries,carries,
cairry,carry,
cairryin',carrying,
caitiff,coward; cowardly,more of an older English word than Scots caller,fresh; refreshing; cool,
cam,came,
cam',came,
camna,did not come,
canna,cannot,
carena,do not care,
carin',caring,
carolled,sang (carols),
cast,thrown off; discarded (clothes), casten,spoilt; worthless; thrown aside, catched,caught,
caul',cold,
cauld,cold,
caup,small wooden bowl,
caups,small wooden bowls,
'cause,because,
caw,drive; impel; hammer,
cawpable,capable,
'cep,except; but,
'cep',except; but,
certie,of a truth; certainly,
certy,of a truth; certainly,
chaps,knocks; hammers; strikes; raps, chatterin',chattering,
chaumer,chamber; room,
cheek,side,
cheemistry,chemistry,
cheenge,change,
cheenged,changed,
cheengin',changing,
cheerie,cheery,
cheese,choose,
chiel,child; young person,term of fondness or intimacy chield,child; young person,term of fondness or intimacy chop,shop; store,
chopdoor,shop door,
claes,clothes; dress,
clan,group; class; coterie,
clappers,door knockers; rattles,
clean,altogether; entirely,also comely; shapely; empty; clean cleansin',cleansing,
cled,clothed; clad,
cleed,clothe; shelter,
clim',climb,
cloaset,(prayer) closet,
cloods,clouds,
cloot,clout; box (ear); beat; slap,also patch; mend closed,enclosed,
closet,room; bedroom,
coaties,children's coats or petticoats, cobblin',cobbling; shoemaking,
cock-crawin',crowing of the cock,
coffer,legacy of wealth; fortune,
colliginer,college student,also college boy colloguin',associating; conspiring; plotting, Come awa' ben.,Come on in.,
Come yer wa's in.,Come on in.,
comena,do not come,
comin',coming,
concernt,concerned,
condescendin',condescending,
conduckit,conducted,
conneckit,connected,
consaive,conceive,
considert,considered,
consortit,consorted,
contentit,contented,
contrar',contrary,
coo,cow,
cooard,coward,
cooards,cowards,
coontenance,countenance,
coorse,coarse,also course
cottar,farm tenant; cottager,
cottars,farm tenants; cottagers,
couldna,could not,
couples,rafters,
coverin',covering,
cowt,colt,
crap o' the wa',natural shelf between wall and roof, cratur,creature,
craturs,creatures,
craw,crow; rook (types of birds),
craws,crows,
creepie,(three legged) stool,a child's chair creepin',creeping; crawling,
creepit,crept; crawled,
crook,hooked iron chain inside a chimney,for hanging cooking pots on cry,call; summon,
cud,could,
cudna,could not,
cunnin',cunning,
curriet,curried; dressed,
cursit,cursed,
cuttit,cut; harvested,
cweentry,country,
cwite,coat,
dacency,decency,
dacent,decent,
dale,deal; fir- or pinewood plank,
dammin',damming; condemning,
damps,coal-pit gases,
dang,knock; bang; drive,
daud,blow; strike; abuse,
daudit,buffeted; struck,
dauner,stroll; saunter,
daur,dare; challenge,
daured,dared; challenged,
daurin,daring; challenging,
daurin',daring; challenging,
daurna,dare not; do not dare,
daursay,dare say,
Dawvid,David,
dearie,sweetheart; darling,
deavt,deafened,
dee,do,also die
deed,died,also deed; indeed
'deed,indeed,
dee'd,died,
deein',doing,also dying
deen,done,
deene,done,
dee't,do it,
deevil,devil,
deevilry,devilry,
deevils,devils,
defilin',defiling,
deid,dead,
deif,deaf,
deil,devil,
deils,devils,
deith,death,
delicht,delight,
dementit,demented; mad; crazy,
dene,done,
denner,dinner,
denner-time,dinner time,
denyin',denying,
dertin',darting,
despisin',despising,
deuk-quack,duck quack,
deuks,ducks,
dictionar',dictionary,
didna,did not,
differ,difference,also differ
din,sound; din,
dingin',overcoming; wearying; vexing, dings,overcomes; wearies; vexes,
dinna,do not,
dinna fling the calf efter the coo,don't give up,also baby/bathwater dirt,worthless persons or things,term of contempt dis,does,
disappint,disappoint,
discoorse,discourse,
disna,does not,
dissiples,disciples,
dis't,does it,
div,do,
dod!,God! (exclamation),
doggie,little dog,diminutive
doin',doing,
doobt,suspect; know; doubt,have an unpleasant conviction doobtin',suspecting; knowing,also doubting doobtless,doubtless,
doobtna,do not suspect; do not know,also does not doubt doobts,suspects; knows,also doubts
dooms,extremely; exceedingly,
doon,down,
doon',down,
door-cheek,door-post; threshold,
door-sill,threshold,
doos,doves,
dos,does,
do't,do it,
douce,gentle; sensible; sober; prudent, doup,bottom; backside; buttocks,
draigon,dragon,reference to Revelation 12-13 draigons,dragons,
dram,glass of whisky,
drap,drop; small quantity of,
drappit,dropped,
drappy,little drop; a little (liquor),diminutive drawin',drawing,
drear,dreary; dreariness; tedium,
dree,endure; undergo; suffer,
dree my weird,undergo my doom,
dreemt,dreamed,
dreid,dread,
dreidfu',dreadful; dreadfully,
drinkin',drinking,
dronin',droning,
drookit,drenched; soaked,
droon,drown,
droonin',drowning,
droont,drowned,
drop,drop-shaped earring,also drop
drouth,thirst; dryness,also drought drouthie,thirsty; dry,
drucken,drunken; tipsy,
du,do,
duds,clothes; rags; tatters,
duin',doing,
dulse,type of seaweed,
dummie,little mute person,diminutive dune,done,
dyke,wall of stone or turf,
dykes,walls of stone or turf,
ear,early,
ear',early,
ee,eye,
e'e,eye,
eedit,heeded,
een,eyes,
e'en,even; just; simply,also eyes; evening eese,use,
efter,after; afterwards,
else,otherwise; at another time; already, Embrough,Edinburgh,
en',end,
endeevour,endeavour,
endeevourin',endeavouring; trying,
eneuch,enough,
enstance,instance,
er,ere; before,
er',ere; before,
ettle,reach; intend; purpose; aim,
even,even; compare,
ever,before,also ever
ever-mair,ever more,
exemple,example,
expeckit,expected,
fa',fall; befall,
failt,failed,
faimily,family,
fain,eager; anxious; fond,also fondly fa'in',falling,
fallow,fellow; chap,
fallow-feelin',mutual feeling,
fan',found,
fan't,found it,
fa'ntit,fainted,
fardin',farthing,
faulds,folds,
fause,false,
fau't,fault; blame,
fauvour,favour,
fawvour,favour,
feared,afraid; frightened; scared,
fearfu',fearful; easily frightened, fearsome,terrifying; fearful; awful, feart,afraid; frightened; scared,
feathert,feathered,
fecht,fight; struggle,
fechtin',fighting; struggling,
feck,value; worth; advantage; majority, fee,hire oneself out,
feel,foolish,also fool
fegs,truly,mild oath; exclamation of surprise fell,very; potent; keen; harsh; sharp,intensifies; also turf fell-dyke,wall made of layers of sod, fellow-cratur,fellow creature,
fells,sods,
feow,few,
fess,fetch,
fest,fast,
fey,doomed (to death),
fillit,filled,
fin',find; feel,
fin'in',finding; feeling,
Fin'on haddie,smoked haddock,
firin',firing; heating,
fit,foot; base,also fit; capable; able fittin',fitting,
flax,flax; wick,
flee,fly (insect),
fleers,floors,
fleg,blow; kick; stroke,
fleggin',blowing; kicking; stroking, fleggit,blew; kicked; stroked,
flegs,blows; kicks; strokes,
fleyt,terrified; frightened,
fling,kick; throw,
fling't,kick it; throw it,
flit,shift; remove; depart,
flitted,shifted; removed; departed, flittin',shifting; removing; departing, flure,floor,
forby,as well; as well as; besides, forgie,forgive,
forgiein',forgiving,
forgi'en,forgiven,
forgifness,forgiveness,
forkit,forked,
for's,for his,
for't,for it,
foucht,fought,
fowk,folk,
fowth,plenty; abundance; full measure, frae,from,
frank,generous; lavish,also generously fricht,frighten; scare away,
frichtit,frightened; scared away,
fule,fool,
fules,fools,
fulfillt,fulfilled,
fundation,foundation,
fun't,founded,
fut,foot,
gae,gave,
gaed,went,
gaein',going,
'gain,by; nearly; almost,
gairdens,gardens,
gait,way; fashion,also route; street gaits,ways,also routes; streets
ga'le,gable,
gane,gone,
gang,go; goes; depart; walk,
gang yer wa's,go on,
gangin',going; walking,
gar,cause; make; compel,
garred,made; caused; compelled,
gars,makes; causes; compels,
gar't,made; caused; compelled,
gat,got,
gauin,going,
gauin',going,
gear,possessions; money; property,also livestock geese,goose,
German Ocean,,old reference to the English Channel & North Sea gerse,grass,
gether,gather,
gey,very; considerable,
geyan,considerably; somewhat; rather, ghaist,ghost,
ghem,game (hunted animal),
gie,give,
gied,gave,
giein,giving,
giein',giving,
gien,if; as if; then; whether,also given gien't,if it,
gies,gives,
gie't,give it,
gin,if; as if; then; whether,
girdle,griddle for baking scones,iron disc girnels,granaries; meal-chests,
glaid,glad,
glaiss,glass,
glaisses,glasses,
glamour,spell; charm; enchantment,
glaur,mud; dirt; ooze,
gleg,quick; lively; smart; quick-witted, glimp,glimpse; glance,also the least degree glintin',twinkling; glittering,
gloamin',twilight; dusk,
gloaming,twilight; dusk,
gnerlet,gnarled,
goodman,master; husband; head of household, gowans,daisies,
gowany,flowered with daisies,
gowd,gold,
gowk,cuckoo; fool; blockhead,
gowkit,foolish; silly,
gowks,cuckoos; fools; blockheads,
graivelly,gravely,
gran',grand; capital; first-rate,
gran'est,grandest,
gran'father,grandfather,
green bree,cesspool,also stagnant pool by a dunghill greitin',crying; weeping,
grenite,granite,
gret,great,
grief,grieve,
grip,grasp; understand,
grippit,grasped; understood,
growin',growing,
growlin',growling,
grue,feeling of horror; tremor,
grum'lin',grumbling,
grup,grip; grasp,
gruppit,gripped; grabbed,
gudeman,master; husband; head of household, guid,good,also God
guid-hertit,good-hearted,
guidit,treated; handled; managed,
guiss,guess,
guissin',guessing,
haddie,haddock,
hadna,had not,
hae,have; has,
hae a news,talk; gossip,
haein,having,
haein',having,
haena,have not,
hae's,have his,
hae't,have it,
haill,whole,
hairm,harm,
Haith!,Faith!,exclamation of surprise haithen,heathen,
haithenish,heathenish,
haiven,heaven,
haiver,talk nonsense,
hale,whole,
half-hoor,half-hour,
hame,home,
han',hand,
hang,hanged,also made
hangin',hanging,
hangt,hanged,
hanks,rope; coil; skein of cotton,
han'le,handle,
han's,hands,
hantle,much; large quantity; far,
hap,cover; wrap; shield,
h'ard,heard,
hark,listen,
harns,brains,
hasna,does not have,
haud,hold; keep,
hauden,held; kept,
haudin',holding; keeping,
hauds,holds; keeps,
haugh,river-meadow,
hause,neck; throat,
h'aven,heaven,
hawpy,happy,
haymows,large haystacks,
heap,very much; heap,
hearin',hearing,
hearken,hearken; hear; listen to,
hearkenin',hearkening; listening to, hearkent,hearkened; heard; listened to, hear't,hear it,
hearten,encourage,
Hech!,Oh! strange!,a sighing exclamation hed,had,
hedna,had not,
heedna,heed not; do not heed,
heicht,height,
heid,head; heading,
heids,heads; headings,
heigh,high,
he'll,he will,
helpin',helping,
helpit,helped,
hen-scraich,chicken cackle,lit. chicken scream her,she,also her
herd,herd-boy; cow-boy,also herd
hermony,harmony,
hersel',herself,
hert,heart,
her't,it to her,
hertenin',enheartening; encouraging, hertless,heartless,
herts,hearts,
herty,heartily; hearty,
he'rty,heartily; hearty,
hicht,height,
hid,had,also hid
hield,held,
hillie,little hill,diminutive
himsel',himself,
hin',hind; backside,
hin' side afore,back to front,
hing,hang,
hingin',hanging,
hings,hangs,
hirplin,limping; hobbling,
his,has,also his; us (emphatic)
hit,it,emphatic
hiz,us,emphatic
hoarible,horrible,
hoo,how,
hoor,hour,
hoors,hours,
hoose,house,
hoosemaid,housemaid,
hooses,houses,
hoosie,little house,diminutive
hoot,,exclamation of doubt or contempt hoots,,exclamation of doubt or contempt hose,stocking,
houff,haunt,
houp,hope,
how,hollow; valley; glen,
hum'le,hornless; fingerless,
hun'ers,hundreds,
hungerin',hungering; hungry,
hunger-like,shrivelled; lacking nutrients, hungert,starved,
hurtin',hurting,
hurtit,hurt,
hyne,far (away),
i',in; into,
I doobt,I know; I suspect,
I wat,I know; I assure (you),
idleseat,idleness; frivolous amusement, idleset,idleness; frivolous amusement, ilk,every; each,also common; ordinary ilka,every; each,also common; ordinary ill,bad; evil; hard; harsh,also misfortune; harm 'ill,will,
ill-fauredest,most unbecoming or unmannerly, ill-guideship,mismanagement; ill-treatment, ill-guidit,mismanaged; ill-treated, 'im,him,
imaigine,imagine,
immorawlity,immorality,
in atween,in the meantime; between, informt,informed,
ingle-neuk,chimney-corner or recess, in's,in his,
inten',intend,
inten'it,intended,
intil,into; in; within,
intill,into; in; within,
intill't,into it,
intil's,into his; into us,
intil't,into it,
inveet,invite; invitation,
inveetit,invited,
ir,are,
'is,his,
I's awa.,I'm off.; I'd better go.,
Ise,I shall,
isna,is not,
is't,is it,
i'stead,instead,
ither,other; another; further,
'ithin,within,
it'll,it will,
itsel',itself,
jabble,ripple; small broken waves,
jaws,billows; splashes; surges,
Jeames,James,
jeedge,judge,
jeedgin',judging,
Jerooslem,Jerusalem,
jine,join,
jints,joints,
jist,just,
j'ists,joists,
jography,geography,
jokin',joking,
jooggy,jigger; shot (of whisky),
justifeed,justified,
kail-wife,woman who sells colewort, kaimbt,combed,
keepin',keeping,
keepit,kept,
keerious,curious,
ken,know; be acquainted with; recognise, kenna,do not know,
kenned,known; knew,
kennin',knowing,
kens,knows,
kenspeckle,conspicuous,easily recognised from some peculiarity kent,known; knew,
ken't,know it,
killt,killed,
kin',kind; nature; sort; agreeable,also somewhat; in some degree kin'ness,kindness,
kirk,church,
kirkyaird,churchyard,
kirkyard,churchyard,
kist,chest; coffer; box; chest of drawers, knicht,knight,
koft,bought,
kye,cattle; cows,
laad,lad; boy,term of commendation or reverence laads,lads; boys,term of commendation or reverence laddie,boy,term of affection
laddies,boys,term of affection
lads,boys,term of commendation or reverence laidders,ladders,
laird,landed proprietor; squire; lord, lairick,larch (type of tree),
lairt,stuck fast (in mud or snow),
laith,loath; unwilling; reluctant,
laithly,loathsome; foul; repulsive, Laitin,Latin,
lan',land; country; ground,
lane,lone; alone; lonely; solitary, lanes,lone; alone,
lang,long; big; large,also slow; tedious langer,longer,
lang's,long as,
langsyne,ancient; (old) times; long ago, lan's,lands; estates,
lass,girl; young woman,term of address lasses,girls; young women,
lassie,girl,term of endearment
lat,let; allow,
lat gang to dirt an' green bree,go to pot; go to ruin, lat's,let's; let us; let his,
latten,let; allowed,
lattin',letting; allowing,
lauch,laugh,
lauchin',laughing,
lave,rest; remainder; others,also leave laverock,lark (type of bird),
lawfu',lawful,
layin',laying,
lea',leave,
lear,learning; education; lore,also teach learn,learn,also teach
learnin',learning,also teaching
learnt,learned,also taught
leddies,ladies,
leddy,boy; lad; laddy,also lady
lee,pasture; fallow ground,also shelter from wind or rain lee'd,lied; told lies,
lees,lies,
leest,least,
leeve,live,
leevin',living; living being,
leevit,lived,
leeward,towards the grassland,also towards the sheltered side len',lend; give; grant,also loan
len'th,length,
leuk,look; watch; appearance,
licht,light,
lichtin',lighting,
lickit,thrashed; punished; struck,
lift,load; boost; lift; helping hand,also sky; heavens like,like; likely to; looking as if to,also as it were; as if likesna,does not like,
likin',liking,
likit,liked,
liltin',singing softly; humming,
lingelt,fastened; fettered; hobbled, lippen,trust; depend on,
livin',living,
'll,will,
loch,loch; lake,
lodd,loaded,
lo'denin',loading,
lo'dent,loaded,
lo'e,love,
lo'esome,loveable; lovely; winsome, lood,loud,
lookin',looking,
loon,rascal; rogue; ragamuffin,
loons,rascals; rogues; ragamuffins, loot,let; allowed; permitted,
Losh!,corrupt form of 'Lord',exclamation of surprise or wonder low,flame,
lowin',flaming,
lowse,loose; free,
lowsed,loosened; let loose; freed,
lucifer spunks,lucifer-matches,
lug,ear,also shallow wooden dish
luggin',lugging,
lugs,ears,
luik,look,
luikin',looking,
luikit,looked,
luiks,looks,
lum,chimney,
lyin',lying,
lythe,shelter,
'm,him,
mainner,manner,
mainners,manners,
mainteen,maintain,
mair,more; greater,
mairtins,martins (type of bird),
maist,most; almost,
'maist,almost,
maister,master; mister,
maistly,mostly; almost,
maitter,matter,
maitters,matters,
mak,make; do,
mak',make; do,
makin',making; doing,
maks,makes; does,
mankin',mankind,
mappies,young rabbits,diminutive
maun,must; have to,
maunna,must not; may not,
mavis,song-thrush (type of bird),
mayhap,perhaps; maybe,
mayna,may not,
mealock,crumb (of oatcake etc.),
meanin',meaning,
meen,moon,
meenute,minute,
meeserable,miserable,
meesery,misery,
meetin',meeting,
mem,Ma'am; Miss; Madam,
mendit,mended; healed,
menseless,ill-bred; boorish; unmannerly, mentionin',mentioning,
mercifu',merciful; favourable,
merriage,marriage,
merry,marry,also merry
merryin',marrying,
mervel,marvel,
mervellous,marvellous,
mesel',myself,
me't,it to me,
micht,might,
michtna,might not,
michty,mighty; God,
midden,dunghill; manure pile,
midge,midge; gnat; mosquito,
mids,midst; middle,
miltin',melting,
min',mind; recollection,also recollect; remember mincin',mincing,
minnin,minnow,
minnister,minister,
min's,minds; reminds; recollects,
mint,aimed at; intended to; attempted, mintit,minded; remembered,
mirricle,miracle,
mischeef,mischief; injury; harm,
misguidit,wasted; mismanaged; ill-used, mistak,mistake,
mither,mother,
mony,many,
moo,mouth,
moo',mouth,
moo'fu's,mouthfuls,
mornin',morning,
mornin's,mornings,
motes,motes; specks; crumbs,reference to Matthew 7:3-5 mou'fu',mouthful,
moul',mould; loose earth; top soil, mould,mould; loose earth; top soil, muckle,huge; enormous; big; great; much, mune,moon,
muntains,mountains,
murderin',murdering,
muv,move; affect,
My certie!,Take my word for it!,
My certy!,Take my word for it!,
my lane,on my own,
mysel,myself,
mysel',myself,
na,not; by no means,
nae,no; none; not,
nae wise,nowise; in no way,
naebody,nobody; no one,
naegait,in no wise; nowhere,
naething,nothing,
naither,neither,
naitral,natural,
nait'ral,natural,
nane,none,
nat'ral,natural,
natur,nature,
natur',nature,
near han',nearly; almost; near by,
nearhan',nearly; almost; near by,
necessar',necessary,
neebour,neighbour,
needcessity,necessity; state of need, needfu',needful; necessary; needy,
needna,do not need; need not,
neepers,neighbours,
negleckit,neglected,
neiper,neighbour,
neist,next; nearest,
nepkin,large handkerchief,
nestie,little nest,diminutive
'neth,beneath; under,
neuk,nook; recess; interior angle,
news,talk; gossip,
nicht,night; evening,
nichts,nights,
nick,score; mark (as signature),also cut nickum,mischievous and tricky boy,
niffer,exchange; barter,
nigher,nearer; closer,
nipperty,mincing; affected,
no,not,
no',not,
noo,now,
nor,than; although; if,also nor
nor'-easter,northeast wind,
notwithstan'in',notwithstanding,
noucht,nothing; not,
nowt,cattle; oxen,
o',of; on,
obleeged,obliged,
obligatit,obligated; obliged,
o'er,over; upon; too,
offerin',offering,
ohn,without; un-,uses past participle not present progressive ohn expeckit,unexpected,
on't,on it,
ony,any,
onybody,anybody; anyone,
onything,anything,
oogliest,ugliest,
oogly,ugly,
ook,week,
ooks,weeks,
oolets,owls,
oonprovidit,unprovided,
oor,our,
oor lanes,on our own,
oors,ours,
oorsel's,ourselves,
oot,out,
ootcast,outcast,
or,before; ere; until; by,also or
ordinar',ordinary; usual; natural,also custom; habit orra,odd job (man),also idle; having no settled occupation o't,of it,
ou,oh,
oucht,anything; all,also ought
ow,oh,exclamation of surprise
ower,over; upon; too,
owershot,very fast; racing; exploding, owre,over; upon; too,
owse,ox,
oye,grandchild; grandson; nephew,
pairt,part,
pairts,parts,
pale,pointed piece of wood for fencing, paling,fence of pales,
passin',passing; occasional,
pastern,ankle (between hoof and fetlock), pasturs,pastures,
pat,put; made,
pawkiness,shrewdness; cunning,
peelt,skinned,
peeramid,pyramid,
peetied,pitied,
peety,pity,
percaution,precaution,
perfec',perfect; thorough; utter,
perfeckly,perfectly; thoroughly; utterly, perplexin',perplexing,
perris,parish,
persuaudit,persuaded,
perswaud,persuade,
perswaudin',persuading,
perswaudit,persuaded,
pey,pay,
peyed,paid,
peyin',paying,
pit,put; make,
pitawtas,potatoes,
pits,puts; makes,
pitten,put; made,
plaguit,plagued; troubled,
plet,plate; dish,
plooed,ploughed,
plottin',plotting; planning,
ploy,amusement; sport; escapade,
poassible,possible,
pooch,pocket,
pooer,power,
poun',pound (sterling),
practeesed,practised,
prankit,played tricks on,also played fast and loose with prayin',praying,
prayt,prayed,
preachin',preaching,
preacht,preached,
prech,preach,
precher,preacher,
pree,taste; try; prove; experience, preevileeges,privileges,
prentit,printed,
press-bed,box-bed with doors,
prest,pressed,
preten'it,pretended,
priestie,little priest,diminutive
pris'ner,prisoner,
prood,proud,
provokin',provoking,
pruv,prove,
pruv't,proven; proved,
pu',pull,
puckle,small quantity,
puir,poor,
pump,beer-shop,also pump
putten,put,
pyke,pick; pluck,
quaiet,quiet,
quaiet sough,quiet tongue,
quaietest,quietest,
quaitet,quieted; silenced,
quest'ons,questions,
quo',swore; said; quoth,
railly,really,
raither,rather,
rale,real; true; very,
randy,rough; wild; riotous,also coarse-tongued; abusive rant,make merry; revel,
rase,rose,
rave,tore,
rax,extend; overdo it; stretch,
raxed,extended; overdone it; stretched, reacht,reached,
readin',reading,
red,rid; free,
redd,set in order; tidy; clean,
reef,roof,
refar,refer,
refeese,refuse,
reid,red,
reik,smoke,
releast,released,
repentit,repented,
reyn,rein,
richt,right; correct,also mend
richtly,certainly; positively,
ridic'lous,ridiculous; unseasonable (weather), riggin',ridge; roof,
rigs,ridges (in a ploughed field),
rin,run,
rinnin',running,
rins,runs,
rintherroot,gadabout; homeless vagrant; tramp, risin',rising,
rist,rest,
ristet,rested,
rizon,reason,
roamin',roaming,
roarin',roaring,
ro'd,road; course; way,
roomie,little room,diminutive
roon',around; round,
rottan,rat,
rouch,rough,
roun,whisper,
roun',around; round,
rovin',roving,
rowtin',bellowing; roaring; lowing, rucks,ricks; stacks,
run k-nots,slip knots (that can not be untied), runkle,wrinkle; crease,
's,us; his; as; is,also has
s',shall,
sab,sob,
sae,so; as,
safe,safely,also safe
safity,safety,
sair,sore; sorely; sad; hard; very; greatly,also serve sairer,harder; sadder; sorer,
saitisfee,satisfy,
saiven,seven,
sall,shall,
san',sand,
sang,song,
sangie,little song,diminutive
sangna,did not sing,
sangs,songs,
sangy,little song,diminutive
sankna,did not sink,
sarious,serious,
sark,shirt,
sattle,settle,
sattled,settled,
saugh,sallow; willow (type of tree), saven,wise; knowledgeable,
savet,saved,
savin',saving,also except
Sawbath,Sabbath,
sawmon,salmon,
sawna,did not see,
saw't,saw it,
Sawtan,Satan,
saxpence,sixpence,
sayin',saying,
says't,says it,
say't,say it,
'scape,escape,
scatter't,scattered,
schuil,school,
schuilin',schooling; education,
schuilmaister,schoolmaster,
schuilmaisterin',schoolmastering; teaching, scomfished,suffocated; stifled; choked, scoorin',scampering,
scornin',mocking; ridiculing,
Scotlan',Scotland,
scrape,scrape; shave,
scrattit,scratched; dug,
scrimp,stunted; sparing,also short in weight or measure Scriptur',Scripture,
scunner,disgust; disgusting; revolting, scunnerfu',disgusting; loathsome; sickening, seein',seeing,
seemile,simile,
seemin',seeming,
seener,sooner,
see't,see it,
sen',send,
set,set out; start off; become,
set doon Bony an' set up Louy,lowers one; exalts another,Psalm 75:7 setna,do not set,
Setterday,Saturday,
Setterdays,Saturdays,
settin',setting,
settisfaction,satisfaction,
shaidow,shadow,
shal't,shelled,
shaw,show; reveal,
shee,shoe,
sheen,shoes,
sherp,sharp,
shillin',shilling,
shillin's,shillings,
shirra,sheriff,
shirra',sheriff,
shoothers,shoulders,
shot,speed; blasting; heavy breakers (sea),also shoot shottin',shooting,
shuitable,suitable,
sic,such; so,
sich,sigh,
sicht,sight,
sids,husks of oats,
siller,silver; money; wealth,
simmer,Summer,
simmerin',simmering,
sin,since; ago; since then,also sin; sun sin',since; ago; since then,
singin',singing,
sitten,sat,
sittin',sitting,
sizon,season,
skirlin',screaming; singing shrilly, sklet,(school) slate,also roofing slate sklet-pike,slate pencil,
sma',small; little; slight; narrow; young, smokin',smoking; smouldering,
smokin' flax,smouldering wick,reference to Matthew 12:20 snap,sharp blow; sudden stumble,
snawba',snowball,
sneck,door-latch; catch (gate),
snot,small lump (of soot),
soary,sorry,
some,somewhat; rather; quite; very,also some somehoo,somehow,
soo,ache; throb,
soomin',swimming; floating,
soon',sound,
soopit,swept,
soucht,sought,
sough,sigh; sound of wind; deep breath, soughie,little sough,diminutive
sowens,sour pudding of oats and water, sowl,soul,
sowls,souls,
spak,spoke,
spate,spate; flood,
speat,spate; flood,
speerin',asking about; enquiring; questioning, speerit,spirit,
speerits,spirits,
speir,ask about; enquire; question, speirin',asking about; enquiring; questioning, speirs,asks about; enquires; questions, speirt,asked about; enquired; questioned, spen',spend,
spendrife,spendthrift,
speyk,speak,
speykin',speaking,
spier,ask about; enquire; question, spune,spoon,
spunks,sparks; matches,
spurtle,porridge stick,also wooden rod for turning oatcakes stair,stairs,
stan,stand,
stan',stand; stop,
stane,stone; measure of weight,1 stone = 14 pounds stanes,stones,
stan'in,standing,
stap,stop; stuff,also step
stappit,stopped; stuffed,also stepped steek,shut; close; push,also stitch (as in clothing) stert,start; jump with surprise,
sterve,starve,
stick,stick; gore; butt with horns, stickin',sticking; goring,
stickit,stuck; gored,
stippety-stap,short mincing gait,
stirks,steers,
stockin',stocking,
stockins,stockings,
stockin's,stockings,
stoot,stout; healthy; strong; plucky, strae,straw,
straik,streak; stroke; caress,
strang,strong,
stray,lost; not at home,
stude,stood,
subjec',subject,
subjec's,subjects,
sucklin's,sucklings,
sud,should,
sudna,should not,
sune,soon; early,
suner,sooner,
sune's,soon as,
sunest,soonest,
supposit,supposed,
sutor,shoemaker; cobbler,
sweem,swim; float,
sweir,swear,
sweirin',swearing,
swoord,sword,
syne,ago; since; then; at that time,also in (good) time 't,it,
tae,toe,also the one
taeless,toeless,
taen,taken; seized,
ta'en,taken; seized,
tailie,little tail,diminutive
tak,take; seize,
tak a lug,have a dish,
tak tent,look out; pay attention,
takin',taking,
takna,do not take,
taks,takes; seizes,
tane,the one,
tap,top; tip; head,
tarn,mountain lake,
tarns,mountain lakes,
taucht,taught,
tay,tea,
tee,'to ye' i.e. to you,also tea; too; also teetle,title,
tellin',telling,
tellt,told,
tent,attention; care; heed; notice, teuch,tough; hard,
teuk,took,
than,then,also than
thankit,thanked,
the day,today,
the morn,tomorrow,
the morn's,tomorrow is,
the nicht,tonight,
the noo,just now,
thegither,together,
themsels,themselves,
themsel's,themselves,
thereoot,outside; out there; out-of-doors, thestreen,last night,
think,feel; experience; expect; wonder, Think ye?,Do you think so?,
thinkin',thinking,
this lang time,for a long time,
tho',though,
thoo,thou; you (God),
thoom,thumb,
thoosan',thousand,
thoosan's,thousands,
thouch,though,
thoucht,thought,
thouchts,thoughts,
thrapple,windpipe; neck,
thrapples,windpipes; necks,
thraw,throw; turn; twist,
thraw one's lug,twist one's ear; punish, three-fauld,threefold; three times,

threep,argue obstinately,also maintain by dint of assertion
threip,argue obstinately,also maintain by dint of assertion
thro't,throat,

throt-ro'd,throat,i.e. be drunk
throts,throats,
throu',through,
thunner,thunder,
tice,entice; coax,
'tice,entice; coax,
till,to; till; until; about; at; before, till's,to his; to us,
till't,to it,
ting-a-ling,sound of a small bell,
tint,lost; got lost,
tiret,tired,
'tis,it is,
tither,the other,
tod,fox,
toom,empty; unload,
toom-heidit,empty headed,
toon,town; village,
tow,rope; string,
tows,ropes; strings,
trail,drag forcibly; haul along,
trailin',dragging forcibly; hauling along, traivel,travel,
trible,trouble,
tribled,troubled,
tribles,troubles,
trifflin',trifling,
trim'le,tremble,
trimmin',beating; scolding,
troth,truth; indeed,also used as an exclamation

trouth,truth; indeed,also used as an exclamation
trowth,truth; indeed,also used as an exclamation
trustit,trusted,

tryin',trying,
'ts,its,
tuck,beat (drum),
tuik,took,
tum'ler,tumbler; glass (of whisky), turnin',turning,
turnt,turned,
twa,two; a few,
'twar,it were,
'twarna,it were not,
'twas,it was,
twise,twice,
twistet,twisted,
tyauve,strive; struggle,
tyne,lose; get lost,
ugsome,disgusting; frightful; ghastly, umbrell,umbrella,
unco,unknown; odd; strange; uncouth,also very great un'er,under,
un'erstan',understand,
up the stair,upstairs,
upliftit,uplifted,
upo',upon; on to; at,
up-road,road (to heaven),
up's,up his,
vailue,value,
vainity,vanity,
verra,very; true; real,
v'ice,voice,
vreet,write,
vroucht,wrought; worked,
wa',wall,also way
wad,would,
wadna,would not,
wae,woe; sad; sorrowful,
waggin',wagging; nodding,
waitin',waiting,
waitit,waited,
walcome,welcome,
walkin',walking,
w'alth,wealth; abundance,
wan,reached; gained; got,
wantin',wanting; lacking; without; in want of, wantit,wanted,
war,were,
wark,work; labour,
warks,works,
warl',world; worldly goods,also a large number warl' 's gear,worldly substance,
warld,world,
warna,were not,
warran',warrant; guarantee,
warrin',warring,
warst,worst,
warstle,wrestle,
warstlin',wrestling,
wa's,walls,also ways
washen,washed,
washin',washing,
wasna,was not,
was't,was it,
wasterfu',wasteful; extravagant,
water-brose,oatmeal stirred into boiling,water until thick wather,weather,
watter,water,
watters,waters,
waur,worse,also spend money
wee,small; little; bit,also short time; while weel,well; fine,
weel-behaved,well-behaved,
weel's,well as,
weet,wet; dew; rain,
weetin',wetting; getting wet,
weicht,weight,
weir,wear,also hedge; fence; enclosure weird,doom; disaster,
weirs,wears,
weyve,weave; knit,
weyver,weaver; knitter,also knitter of stockings; spider wha,who,
whae'er,whoever,
wha'll,who will,
whan,when,
wharfor,what for; why; for what reason, wha's,who is,also whose
What ca' they ye?,What is your name?, What for no?,Why not?,
What for?,Why?,
whaten,(on; by) what; what kind of, what-for,why; reason,also punishment; retribution whaul,whale,
whaur,where,
whause,whose,
wheel,eddy; pool; deep still part of the river, wheen,little; few; number; quantity, whiles,sometimes; at times; now and then, whilk,which,
Whisht!,Quiet! Silence! Hush!,
whiskin',whisking,
whumled,whelmed; overwhelmed; upset, whup,whip,
whups,whipping,
whusky,whisky,
whustle,whistle,
wi',with,
wice-like,seem wise,
wicket,back-door of a barn,
wickit,wicked,
wifie,little woman,term of endearment willin',willing,
willin'est,willingest,
win,reach; gain; get,
win',wind,
win'le strae,straw or grass dried on its root,weak; unhealthy winna,will not,
wins,reaches; gains; gets,
winsome,large; comely,
wi'oot,without,
wires,knitting needles,
wis,was,
wi't,with it,
wither,weather,
won'er,wonder; marvel,
won'erfu',wonderful; great; large,
won'erin',wondering,
workin',working,
worryin',worrying,
worset,woollen fabric; wool; worsted, worum,worm,
wrang,wrong; injured,
writch,rich,
wuddie,gallows,also willow
wuds,woods; forests,
wull,will; wish; desire,also astray; stray; wild wullin',willing; wanting,
wulls,wills; wishes; desires,
wuman,woman,
wunna,would not; will not,
wur,lay out,
wuss,wish,
wussed,wished,
wut,wit; intelligence; sense,
wuts,wits; senses,
w'y,way,
wydin',wading,
w'ys,ways,
wyte,blame; reproach,
yaird,yard,
yairds,yards,
ye,you; yourself,
year,years,also year
ye'll,you will,
yer,your,
yer lane,on your own,
yerd,yard; garden,
ye're,you are,
yersel,yourself,
yersel',yourself,
ye't,it to you,
yett,gate,
yeuks,itches,
ye've,you have,
yewky,itchy,
yon,that; those; that there,
yon'er,yonder; over there; in that place, yon'll,that will; that (thing) there will, yon's,that is; that (thing) there is, yoong,young,




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