Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡AIXIES, EXIES, Axes, n. The access of an ague; ague; hysterics. Found also in north. Eng. dial. [′eksɪ̢z, ′ɛksɪ̢z]
1. n.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxxv.:
That silly fliskmahoy, Jenny Rintherout, has ta'en the exies, and done naething but laugh and greet.Ork. 1700 J. Wallace Descr. I. of Ork. 66:
Commonly in the Spring they are troubled with an Aguish Distemper which they call the Axes.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick xvi.:
Shiverin an' shakin like a man wi' the trem'lin aixies.
2. Comb.: Axes-grass. (See quot.)Ork. 1825 Jam.2 (ref. to Wallace Descr. I. of Ork.):
He subjoins, that to an infusion of buckthorn and other herbs, which they use as a cure, they give the name of Axes Grass.
