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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

BEDDY, BEDDIE, adj.

1. Asking for, desirous of strange things; greedy, covetous.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 75:
Breeding wives are aye beddie. (Note, covetous of some silly things.)
Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.:
“You're very beddy,” saucy at one's food, also greedy, covetous.

2. Forward, meddling, rude.Lnk. 1838 J. Morrison M'Ilwham Papers Letter i. 11:
He's a beddy body, wi' a terrible gift o' the gab.
Uls. 1923 J. Logan Ulster in the X-Rays, (2nd ed.) vi.:
I'll larn ye not to be beddy.

3. Eager to seize prey.Sc. a.1706 W. Hamilton Bonny Heck in J. Watson Choice Collection (1869) 70:
But if my Puppies ance were ready, . . . They'l be baith Cliver, Keen, and Beddy.

[Perhaps cogn. with O.E. biddan, to pray, ask for, gebed (adj. *gebedig), a prayer, and bedhūs, a house of prayer.]

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