Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DUMPY, -IE, adj. and n. Sc. usages.
†1. adj. Of cloth: coarse and thick (Upp. Cld. 1825 Jam.2).
Hence dumpiness, coarseness and thickness (of cloth) (Ib.).
2. n.
(1) A short thick-set person (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also used as a nickname.Edb. 1843 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie's Wallet Intro. 9:
There's ae window shines thro' the darkness sae dun — That's the hame o' auld Dumpie and Duncan her son. †(2) One of a breed of very short-legged fowl (Per. 1861 F. Blair Hen-wife 129).Sc. 1867 W. B. Tegetmeier Poultry Bk. 233:
Dumpies, or Scotch Bakies. Under this title a breed of fowls has long been known in Scotland. The most important characteristic of these birds is the extreme shortness of the bones of the leg.Sc. 1885 Bazaar (30 March) 1267:
Dumpies' eggs, genuine Scotch breed.
(3) A footstool or hassock stuffed with chopped hay (Rxb. 1949).
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"Dumpy adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dumpy>