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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FAIL, adj., n.², v.² Also †feal. Sc. usages.

†I. adj. Delicate, in a frail state of health (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).

†II. n. Decline (in strength).Sh. 1898 Shet. News (9 April):
He wis a man apo' da fail o' life.

III. v. 1. In ppl.adj. failed, of persons, impaired in health or vigour, infirm. Gen.Sc.; of things, broken down, worn out.Slk. 1714 V. Jacob Lairds of Dun (1931) 241:
Ane meikill old meal ark old . . . and very sore failed.Sc. 1727 Analecta Scot. (ed. Maidment 1837) II. 211:
He is considerably failed and very crazy.Abd. 1739 J. Skinner in Caled. Mag. (1788) 505:
Some grein'd for ae hawf hour's mair fun, 'Cause fresh and nae sair fail'd.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxv.:
I'm auld and failed now, and canna keep at it.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 117:
Poor Robin Craig was sair failed by the time I was ready to begin.Fif. 1894 A. S. Robertson Provost 150:
Henry Scott is awfu' failed. He's gettin' unco frail.Sh. 1898 W. F. Clark Northern Gleams 117:
“Bit ye're a feal'd man” they urged, “an' your strent'll niver haud oot!”Sh. 1952 New Shetlander No. 34 23:
Although failed from taking, much longer, any active part in the ever-intensifying struggle between Progress and Reaction.Ayr. 1997:
He's gey failed noo.

2. To collapse from exhaustion.Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 22:
I want a shalt or twa tae tak doon twa men that hae failed up the Glen.Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 126:
She'd jeist been gyan awa' tae ken'le a bit fire fan she fail't.