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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

FRUESOME, adj. “Coarse-looking, frowsy” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck I. 103:
I never was amang traitors that I was certain of till this day — Let them take that! bloody fruesome beasts.

[Sic, but later editions read, prob. correctly, gruesome. The last sentence is an aside directed at the persecutors of the Covenanters.]

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