A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Thorny, adj. Also: thornye, -i(e. [ME and e.m.E. þorni (Ancr. R.), thornye (c1325), thorny (Rolle); Thorn(e n.]
1. Filled with or composed of thorn trees or bushes.Also in place-names.1272–1316 Reg. Paisley 102.
[Ex occidentali parte de le] Thorniflat a1300 Coldstream Chart. 26.
[Predicte pasture de] Thornidyk a1390 Coll. Aberd. & B. 427.
Thornyle 1406 Liber Melros II 530.
Thornydykis 1522 Reg. Episc. Morav. App. 407.
Thornye bray a1500 Henr. Fab. 419.
Ane lytill fra this … vedowis hous Ane thornie schaw thair wes
2. Bearing, or constructed of, thorns.a1500 Henr. Prayer 23.
O blissit Jesu, that wore the thorny croun a1500 Rois Garlandis 118.
Scurgit with thorny wandis 1570 Sat. P. xv 25.
Cum, Nettillis, thornie breiris, & rew, With all foull filthie weid
3. fig. a. Sharp, piercing, so as to cause pain. b. Tangled; full of contentious points; difficult to handle.a. 1603 E. Melville Godlie Dreame 362.
The thornie cairs of this deceitfull lyfe, Will rent ȝour heart 1633 Rutherford Christ's Napkin 9.
The devil borrows another man's heart and he has crooked it with the thorny-cares of this world and holled it, and dung the bottom out of itb. ?c1675 J. Gordon Hist. III 215.
A thornie bussinesse came in, which the Moderator, by great wisdome, got cannilie convoyed
