A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Slug(g)ard(e, -ird, -art, n. and adj. Also: slwggarte. [ME and e.m.E. slogard(e (Trevisa), slougarde (1549), sluggarde (1576); Slug v.]
A. noun. A person slow or sluggish by nature or habit; an idle or lazy person, one disinclined to work or exertion.c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 58.
Sluggart, for schame! lo here thy goldin houre, That worth were hale all thy lyvis laboure! c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xlvi 86.
Luve makis sluggirdis [M. slugardis] fresche and weill besene c1500-c1512 Dunb. (STS) xlviii 22.
‘Slugird,’ scho said, ‘awalk annone for schame’ c1590 Fowler I 328/8.
I hate the Romane sluggart for he dois tak litill paine 1600-1610 Melvill 287.
Let us nocht say with the slugart, ‘Ther is a lyon in the way’ 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas i 496.
When natur's alchimists from rest reteir, And to the sluggarde life and courage gives
B. adj. Sluggish, slothful, negligent.1513 Doug. vi v 9.
Charon … Terribil of schap and sluggart [Ruddim. sluggard] of array 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. 3b.
Be nocht owersylit with slwggarte negligence c1590 Fowler I 308/4.
Hou fordwart men hath bene … in the prayse of these [etc.] … and hou cold, sluggart, and silent ar they nou becomd … (thair patrons being deade)
