A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Pevych, -ech, -ach, a. Also: pew- and -yche, -ische; -is. [e.m.E. and ME. peyuesshe (Piers Plowman), peeuish (? a 1500), peuysshe, pieuish (16th c.), also pyuysshe (1519), piuishe (1529), foolish (1393), mischievous, harmful (a 1500), as an epithet of dislike (1523), perverse (1539), morose (c 1530); of unknown origin.] Only in Doug., of persons: Perverse; malignant; mischievous; coldly calculating; devious; treacherous; ? also, cowardly. —1513 Doug. Comm. i. v. 28.
And wey the excellent awtorite of Virgill and Tytus Lyuius wyth ȝour pevach and corrupt Gwido Ib. xi. viii. 78.
For thou sal neuer los … By … this rycht hand of myne Sik ane pevych [Sm. pevyche, Ruddim. peuische, R. pevis] and catyve saule as thyne Ib. xiv. 101.
Lurkand at wayt and spyand rownd about … At euery part thys pevech [Sm. pewech] man of weyr [L. improbus]
