A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Vapourous,) Vaporous(e, Vapairous, Vaprous, adj. [e.m.E. vaperous (1527), vaporous (1544), vapourous (1603).] a. Applied to exhalations believed to originate within the body: Of the nature of vapour. b. Emitting vapour. c. fig. Idle, worthless. —a. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 169/516.
The epilepsie dead uithall bredd of a uaporouse reike —b. 1581-1623 James VI Poems I 129/140.
Uith thristillis burning corne & uith the uapairous [1591 vaprous] dornell ay —c. 1632 Lithgow Trav. x 456.
O foolish pride, O suppressing ambition! and vaporous curiosity!
