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.
ETTERY, adj. Also et(t)erie, et(t)rie, etry and see Aitrie, Attery. [′ɛt(ə)ri]
‡1. Purulent, exuding pus (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
‡2. Fig. (1) Ill-humoured, bad-tempered, spiteful (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, et(e)rie; 1923 Watson W.-B., ettery). Watson also gives the form yettery.Rxb. a.1860 J. Younger Autobiog. (1881) 250:
The poor creatures, Tibby and Christy, were indeed as cankered and etterie as nettles.
(2) Of weather: keen, bitter (Dmf., Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, et(e)rie, etry; Bnff.2 1944).Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 36:
'Twas gurly winter, whan frae ow'r the Forth, Come ettrie blasts aft frae the scowling north.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
An ettery wund.
(3) Hot-headed, fiery, angry-looking (Dmf., Rxb. 1825 Jam.2; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
[Etter, n. + -y, s.v.-ie, suff. Cf. O.E. ǣtrig, poisonous.]
