Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COCKAPENTIE, Cockypenty, n. “One whose pride makes him live and act above his income” (Ayr. 1825 Jam.2). Used attrib. = extravagant, high-falutin. Obs. except poet. [′kɔkə′pɛntɪ̢]Edb. 1928 A. D. Mackie Poems in Two Tongues 46:
Nae cockypenty, patronisin', Kind-herted ode am I devisin' Tae let sic folk as like it see What love o' beast there is in me.Ayr. 1821 Letter in Ayrsh. Dial. in Edb. Mag. (April) 351:
As soon as thae cockapenties gat a wee swath o' thae parlevoo harangues.
