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.
Quotation dates: 1908-1923
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DEIL, adj. Dare-devil, reckless. Hence deilmaist, most reckless, most mischievous.Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden Th' Loudons 17:
He's just the deilest Jehu in the shire, An' sticks at naething.Lnk. 1923 G. Rae 'Mang Lowland Hills 69:
But noo a trump o' terror fills the isle, That never failed to cowe the deilmaist loon.
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"Deil adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/deil_adj>
