Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1769-1846
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BODWORD, BODEWORD, n.
1. “An invitation, message” (Abd.22 1935).Sc. 1769 D. Herd Sc. Songs (1776) II. Gl. 245:
Bodword, an ominous message. Bodwords are now used to express ill-natured messages.Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Gl.Sc. 1825 Jam.2, s.v. bode:
Bodeword . . . denotes an invitation by means of a letter or a messenger.
2. A forecast or warning.Sc. 1818 S. Ferrier Marriage II. iii.:
They maun ken little wha ne'er heard the bod-word of the familly.Sc. 1832–1846 A. Crawford in Whistle-Binkie (3rd Series 1842) 84:
Sae braw a mornin' gae a bodeword fell, That some wanchance was no that far awa.
