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.
ERSIT, adj. Stubborn, perverse (Kcb. correspondents 1950).Gall. 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 66:
“Deein!” she cry't. “Joost like him, the ersit cuddy! If A wantit him dead he wud leeve till he wus auler nor M'Thusalem!”
Hence ersitness, n., obstinacy (Kcb. c.1908 (per Kcb.6)).
[Erse, n.1 + reduced form of -ward, backward, perverse: cf. obs. Eng. arseward and Arset. A different phonological development has produced Essart, q.v.]
