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.
CONFEESE, Confeise, Confaise, v. Properly the ne.Sc. and em.Sc. forms of Eng. confuse (see P.L.D. § 143), though used occasionally by writers in other districts. Gen. found as ppl.adj. Known to Abd.2, Fif.10, Slg.3 (1937). [kən′fi:z]Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xxiv.:
I'm no saying but he's a just nobleman . . . but it wad drive ane daft to be confeised wi' deukes and drakes, and thae distressed folk up stairs.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays and Leg. of the North (1908) 88:
I'm confeesed, my head is soomin'.Abd. 1925 A. Murison Rosehearty Rhymes 121:
I canna eat, I canna sleep, My thochts are fair confeest.
Hence confaision, confeeshin, confusion (Abd.9 1937, confeeshin).Edb. 1928 A. D. Mackie Poems in Two Tongues 45:
What storms or gods or fremt invasion, Or strife within, or tongues' confaision, May whummle a' oor bonny Babel.
