A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Rigwiddie, -widdé, n. and adj. Also: -widdy, -wyddie, -uidie; -wod(d)é, -wodie; -woodie, -woidie; (ringwoodie). [Sc. form of north. ME rygwythi, rigwethy (1419–20); Rig n. 1 and widdy.]
A. noun. A rope or band running across the back of a draught-horse and secured to the shafts of the cart or carriage to be drawn, a back-band.(a) 1513 Treas. Acc. IV 514.
For xxiiij stane of towis to be thetis, soumes and rigwiddeis 1565 Rec. Privy C. I 403.
To furneis with all necessaris the said artailyearie viz. of cabillis, sowmis, theittis [pr. cheittis], rigwiddeis [etc.] 1585 Elphinstone Mun. 193/1.
Fyve haling towis and sex rigwiddeis 1595 Crim. Trials I ii 353.
The said Mr. Johnne … cuttit his plewis and rigwiddeis 1596–7 Edinb. B. Rec. V 178.
For cutting the rig wyddie of William Mcmaths cairt 1663 Donaldson Cramondiana 39.
To ane dozen rigwiddies to him, 6 s. 8 d. 1693 Edinb. Test. LXXX 2.
Tuo cairts saidells and tuo rone riguidies(b) 1616 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 4.
Rigwodeis Ib. 52.
Rigwoddeis Ib. 53.
Takell to be traces and rigwoddeis to the cairt hors 1625 Edinb. Test. LIII 114.
Ane irne rigwodie and ane pair ear ledderis
B. attrib., as adj. Only, dyslogistically, in collocation with witch.So too in the earliest example (1698) quoted by SND, s.v. Rigwiddie adj.? = ‘wizened and gnarled; tough and rugged-looking; ill-shaped’ (SND), but in early use perh. less specific ? = ill-favoured.1648 Dumfries Kirk S. 20 March.
The bill of slander … against Jonet McKie in calling the said Jonet rigwoodie witch 1654 Ib. 5 July.
Margaret callit the supplicant a turner of ridles, a rigwiddy witch 1664 Gunn Cross Kirk, Peebles 190.
That the man's wife called Janet a ringwoodie witch 1688 Peebles B. Rec. II 125.
For scandalizeing her and calling her unsonsy loun and rigwoidie witch
