Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FLEET, adj. Sc. usages: 1. Smart, active, nimble (ne.Sc., Ags., Per., Fif., m.Lth. 1951). Only in literary use in Eng. Adv . fleetly; 2. Easy to deal with, manageable, adaptable (Bnff.16 1952).1. Ags. 1897 G. A. Mackay Where Heather Grows 172:
Od, ye were a fleet wee coinie. Mony's the daidle ye dirtied.Ags. 1928 A. Gray Gossip 31:
I'm geyan fleet for a' that I've been through.Kcd. 1932 “L. G. Gibbon” Sunset Song (1937) 49:
John Guthrie came fleetly from the kitchen.2. Abd. 1931 D. Campbell Uncle Andie 10–11:
Dooglie — Spell prophesy, Andie. Andie — Na, na; licht on a fleeter wirdie.Abd. 1951 (Deeside):
For example, in sorting out suitable “slabs” or “backs” for lining a rough shed, any nice, straight, fairly even one is said to be “a fine fleet stick.”
