We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Swelliar, Swellyar(e, n. [e.m.E. swallower (1605), OE swelᵹere; Swelly v.] One who eats, esp. one who eats voraciously; a glutton. b. transf. One who is a voracious practitioner of vice. —1513 Doug. xiii vi 222 (Sm.).
Thir akcorne swelliaris [C. swellyaris] the fat swyne
1533 Boece 341.
He grewe to ane rutoure acceptabill to deuoraris and swelliaris and sic as vsit surfett
b. 1533 Boece 329.
He … gaif him … to be … ane vile insaciable receptakle and swellyare of all vice

42973

dost