Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WAE, int. Also wa(ah); wey, wie. Used as an introductory exclamation in various contexts, mostly corresponding to those of Eng. well: introducing an assertion (Sc. 1825 Jam.); of “anything that causes surprise and admiration” (Ork. 1825 Jam., I.Sc. 1866 Edm. Gl., waah). [we:, wɑ:]Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1885) II. 49:
Wa' Sawny man; wilt thou na rise the day?Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 30:
The battle o' Drumclog! wae, I canna say ony thing anent that.Peb. 1838 W. Welsh Poems 56, 59:
Wa dear Mary woman, how are ye? … Wa dearsake Davie, what's warang?Ags. 1853 W. Blair Aberbrothock 3:
Ah wa! times are tirned richt roond about.Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 136:
Wie, what's souls but ghosts?Ayr. 1882 A. Guthrie Ardrossan 116:
Wae wummin, its no an ill faut that water will wash aff.Dmf. 1912 J. Hyslop Echoes 212, 309:
Ken ye? Wey, what's tae hinder me to ken ye? … Wey, dear me, if ye gan an wisp yer cl-ogs wi't there canna be vera muckle on't left!