Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLUNILD, BLUE-NILD, BLONÄILD, BLONÄILDET, adj. Musty; mildewed, mouldy. [blo′naild Sh.; blu′naild, blʌu-Ork.]Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl. s.v. blunild; Sh.7 1935:
B[lonäild] fish, flesh. Also blonäildet.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Blue-nild. Mouldy, covered with “blue” (i.e. green) mould — e.g. of grain, clothes, boots, etc. Occas. also blue-nilded — from “blue-nild” being regarded as a present form.