Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BALDERRY, BAWDRY, Baldeirie, Baldaisie, Baldairie, Balderie, Baldair, n. Also belldera (Ayr. 1845 Stat. Acc.² V. 747). (See quots.) [′bɑ:drɪ̢ Sc.; ′bʌldiri Sh.]Sc. 1777 J. Lightfoot Flora Scotica I. 517:
Orchis maculata. Female handed Orchis. Anglis. Balderry. Scotis.Sc. 1825 Jam.²:
Balderry. Female handed orchis. This name is also given to the Orchis latifolia. The word is pron[ounced] Bawdry; . . . the plant is vulgarly believed to have an aphrodisiacal virtue.wm.Sc. [1835] Laird of Logan (1868) Key 483:
Baldeirie. The orchis, a plant, the genus orchis.Ayr.² 1914:
Baldairie, Baldaisie, the wild orchid.Kcb.³ 1929:
Balderie, the orchis, a plant the root of which given secretly was supposed to kindle the passion of love.w.Dmf. 1914 R. Watson in T.S.D.C. I.:
Baldair. Cuckoo Flower (Lady's Smock).