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.
DRIZZLE, n., v. Sc. usages. Also †drizel.
1. n. †(1) A tiny trickle of water.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems 280:
Thus Children oft with carefu' Hands, In Summer dam up little Strands, Collect the Drizel to a Pool.
(2) In phr. a dry drizzle, a very fine shower of rain.Uls. 1910 C. C. Russell Ulster 41:
It may be a “mizzle” that is coming on, or mayhap even a “dry drizzle”, which signifies that it is not of sufficient importance to keep you in-doors.
†2. v.
(1) tr. ¶(a) To sprinkle with tiny drops; (b) to let fall in tiny drops; obs. since 17th cent. in Eng.(a) Sc. 1810 Scott L. of Lake iv. v.:
Drizzled by the ceaseless spray, . . . The wizard waits.(b) Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 123:
Down drizzlin' frae his feathers damp His sleepy dew-draps owr their camp.
(2) intr. (a) to trickle, ooze; (b) fig. to walk slowly (Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems, Gl.).(a) Ags. 1795 Session Papers, Arbuthnott v. Scott (11 March) 246:
The water likewise drizzled through any parts of the dike that were open.
