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.
†ERLISH, adj. Unearthly, uncanny. Also ¶erlich.wm.Sc. c.1800 in Folk-Lore Rec. I. 236:
When they cam' the kirk within, An erlish cry he made.Sc. 1802 Scott Border Minstrelsy II. 242:
Up there raise an erlish cry.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 220:
That hallo so erlich and shrill.
