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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Thevishe, Thievishe, Thivische, adj. Also: theivish, theyfage, theevish(e, thiefeous, thivish. [e.m.E. theyfische (Cath. Angl.), theuysh (1535), theuish (1541), thieuyshe (1552), theeuysshe (1555); Thef(e n.]The -eous ending is prob. due to the influence of Thiftwis(e adj.

a. Of the nature of theft, thievish. = Thiftwis(e adj. 1 a. b. Stolen. = Thiftwis(e adj. 1 b. c. = Thiftwis(e adj. 1 c. d. Of the nature of thieves. = Thiftwis(e adj. 2. e. Populated or frequented by thieves.a. 1609 Reg. Privy C. VIII 372.
The thevishe forme of doing of that infamous societie 1600-1610 Melvill 768.
Being convict … of … thivish steilling 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 125.
[Granting them] free passage throuch thair boundis and cuntreyis in thair thevishe deidis 1636 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VI 333.
To the incourageing of the rest of that infamous byke of lawles limmars to continow in thair theivish tradeb. 1649 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 50.
John denyit the taking of the said theiff or intrometting with stolne muttone or any uther thiefeous guids in hir possessionec. 1598 James VI Basil. Doron (see Thiftwis(e adj. c).
Thieuishe, Theeuished. 1513 Doug. iii iv 75.
Theyfage [Ruddim. Ȝe fuge] lynnage of fals Laomedon 1606 Reg. Privy C. VII 287.
For exterminioun of the wicked and thivische race of the Clan Gregoure. 1632 Lithgow Trav. vii 335.
Three French murderers set vppon me in a theeuish wood