A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scurvie, adj. Also: skurvie, scourvie, skirvie. [e.m.E. scuruy (1515), f. Scruf(e n. Cf. e.m.E. scurfy (1483).]
1. Of persons: Contemptible, despicable; reprehensible; ? filthy.1570 Sat. P. xxii 8.
A scuruie schollar of Machiauellus lair a1605 Montg. Sonn. xxiv 11.
A skurvie skybell for to be esheud 1640 Haddington Corr. 179.
For troubling this corner of the kingdoome and my scurvie person ?1655 Fugitive Poetry II xxviii 2/28.
Clan Merloch, … Skurvie, naked, lousie fellowes
2. Of things: In a poor state or condition; worthless.(a) 1624 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXII 184.
Thrie pair of skurvie worne blankets 1647 Bk. Islay 400.
A little skurvie ile in the end of Yla 16… Edinb. City Archives Moses Bundle 254, No. 7756.
And the impression [on the coins] so scurvie that any tinker is able to counterfeit it(b) 1610 Hist. Carnegies 343.
Ane scouruie vilage off Savoye, namit Bramant(c) a1686 Turner Mem. 125.
A skirvie litle toune
3. Of language: Coarse; vile.1669 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 197.
John Allane … did mansass and abuse him with evil and scurvie language
4. As a quasi-noun, applied to uses of the word in any, or all, of the above senses.a1689 Cleland 8.
With blasphemie and rude speeches New coin'd ‘scurvies’ vex the leidges
