Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CONCEITY, Concaity, Consaity, Consatey, adj. [kɔn′siti, kɔn′setɪ̢]
1. Conceited, vain, proud (Bnff.2, Abd.2, Fif.10, Lnk.3 1937).Sc. 1719 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 134:
Gin ony sour-mou'd girning Bucky Ca' me conceity keckling Chucky.Sc. 1934 L. Spence in Gallov. Annual 11:
But the guid-brither o' this king was a grit noble, and fu' conceity and jealous o' his lord.wm.Sc. 1835–37 Laird of Logan I. 277:
It couldna be in my nature to tak umbrage at unintentional negleck, and bide awa frae the ploy like some conceity bodies.Wgt. 1880 G. Fraser Lowland Lore 172:
I wull admit that there's somethin' in't for me to be conceity aboot, seein' I hae the honour to be the leadin' innkeeper within the wa's o' this same burgh.Ant. 1892 Ballymena Obs. (E.D.D.):
He's very consatey o' them new trousers.
2. Witty, apt (Sc. 1910 Metcalfe; Kcb.9 1937); clever, intelligent.sm.Sc. 1896 W. G. Tarbet In Oor Kailyard 28:
He wis fower years auld when he dee'd, an uncommon consaity bairn.Kcb. 1895 S. R. Crockett Men of the Moss-Hags xxxvi.:
Such a brisk, conceity saying was like that spirited lady.
3. Neat, tidy, dainty (of persons and things). Known to Bnff.2, Fif.10, Lnk.3 1937.Sc. 1899 Mont.-Fleming:
I have heard it applied to a small, nicely-furnished cottage. “It's a real conceity wee place,” meaning a sort of Bijou of a place.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 30:
He keeps a' thing ticht: he's a concaity body.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 196:
Now Ken had grown conceity in his claise, Nor coud the common country fashion please.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers 93:
Bonnie walls an' pentet roofs are nae doubt unco conceity things.
