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.
‡EESWAL, adj. ne.Sc. form of Usual. See P.L.D. §§ 128, 37, 35. [′i:zwəl]Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb viii.:
She'll be expeckin' to get some leavin's i' the taepot, to be a cup till'er fan the men gae's oot to sipper the beasts, as eeswal.
Hence eeswally, adv., usually (Abd.9 1943).Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 46:
We dinna eeswally care muckle for the flail.
Phr.: one's aul(d) eeswal, (in) one's usual condition, one's old self (Abd.2 1943). Cf. Auld, adj., 7.Abd. 1920 M. Argo Makkin o' John 20:
Dyod, John, that's nae yir auld eeswal.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 46:
Na, na; Saun'ers is nae his aul' eeswal gin he disna haud his ain wi' ony horse couper o' them.
