Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Meg. Also: Megge, Mag. [e.m.E. (1582), pet form of the female name Margaret.] a. A rough country girl, a girl. b. In the name of a large cannon, appar. that also known as Mons and Mons Meg, qq.v. —a. (1) c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 67.
Ane mureland meg that mylkis the ȝowis, Claggit with clay abone the howis 1572 Sat. P. xxxii. 37.
We … wald by ane fraer of fegges … and sell to landwart megges(2) a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. cix. 28.
For I may not the mistiris beit Off Meg nor Mald —b. a1578 Pitsc. II. 86. n. 1.
[Tuo great cannonis,] Cruik mow and deaff Meg 1650 Art. Rendition Edinb. Castle 4.
[Three iron guns besides the great Mag 1650 Letter from the Lord General Cromwel concerning the rendition of the Castle of Edinburgh 16.]
The great iron murderer called muckle Meg