Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CONTERMACIOUS, -mashious, -mashus, Contramashious, -macious, Counter-, adj. Perverse, self-willed, obstinate, contrary, refractory (Bnff.2, Abd.19, Ags.2, Fif.10 1937; Lnk. 1825 Jam.2; Bnff., Abd., Edb. 2000s). [′kɔntər′mɑ(:)ʃəs, ′kɔntrə-, ′kʌuntər-]Sc. 1898 L. B. Walford Leddy Marget v.:
Gibbie, possessed of the true “contramacious” nature, would fly out on the instant. “Whae wants ye i' yer braws ilka day?” she would demand, argumentatively.Sc. 1935 I. Bennet Fishermen x.:
Jean, although a fine wife, was a contramashious bitch, wi' her eternal cleaning and polishing.Ags. 1896 Arbroath Guide (25 Jan.) 3/6:
He's nane o' yer contermashious kind of beasts.em.Sc. (a) 1896 (2nd ed.) “I. Maclaren” Kate Carnegie 218:
Noo ye declare ye'll be as countermacious as ever.Fif. 1909 Colville 136:
She . . . soon got out of patience with the thrawn, contermashus youngster. Edb. 1994:
Ya contermacious auld bugger ye!Slk. 1985 Walter Elliot Clash-ma-clavers 42:
Tho ye say blek when Ah say white
An Ah say dull when ye say bright,
Some day Ah'll gar ye see the light
Ye contramashious bletherskite.
Hence contermaciousness, stubbornness, perversity (Bnff.2 1937).Abd. 1928 J. Wight in Word-Lore III. vi. 148:
Wi' due contermaciousness, Meggie crawlt back faur she wis.
