Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
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.
FILE, n., conj. Also fyle. n.Sc. forms of Eng. while. See P.L.D. § 134. Its use as a conj. is rare. Dim. forms: filie, filik(ie) (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 46); fy(l)lie, feylie, fileock(ie).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 15:
I for a little fyle shall lat thee be.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xiv.:
Ye see I was oot o' the throng a gey file arrengin' some things o' my nain.Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. 161:
Meg's been gyan the length o' 'er tether this filie back.Abd. 1921 Swatches o' Hamespun 10:
The fileock the supper wis bein' discussed.Bnff. 1939 J. M. Caie Hills and Sea 13:
An' we sud rist, wi' sma' regret, A filie noo at e'en.Abd. 1993:
A filie back I hid brose; bit noo it's is muesli stuff. Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 9:
"I'm sorry I've bin queer wi ye this last fylie," quo he.
