Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
A'READY, AREADY, adv. Also alreidy, awready, alriddy. Sc. forms of Eng. already. [ɑ′rɛdi, ə′rɛdi]Sc. 1887 R. L. Stevenson Underwoods 92:
An' see! black coats a'ready thrang The green kirkyaird.Dundee 1990 Sheila Stephen in Joy Hendry Chapman 60 53:
"Listen, pal. Eh'v alriddy forgot aa aboot it. Eh'll nivver mention it or think aboot it again. Promise."Dundee 1992 W. N. Herbert in Janice Galloway and Hamish Whyte New Writing Scotland 10: Pig Squealing 73:
'Ye're no supposed tae need trainin ye bampot,' hissed Airchie. Noo come on. Deck's stretchin it for us aaready.'Edb. 2005:
Is that it feenished awready?Hdg. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheephead, etc. 287:
“Jamie!” quoth Sam, earnestly, “that's no' fair, ye ken weel hoo that I hae spoken an' speechified a'ready.”wm.Sc. 1928 J. Corrie The Last Day 64:
That's eleeven o'clock a'ready and I haena got half thae things washed.Lnk. 1997 Duncan Glen From Upland Man 6:
But the beasts hae to be fed
though there'll be nae muckin-oot needit
till themorrow. The new biler-hoose fire's
alreidy lichtit and makin steam ... Kcb.(D) 1877 “Saxon” (ed.) Gall. Gossip 51:
“Sauf us!” quo' Gcordie, “but ye're beld aready.”
