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.
GAISHON, GAISHEN, n., adj. Also gation, geshon. [′geʃən]
I. n. †1. A thin, emaciated person, a skeleton (Slg. 1808 Jam., gaishon, geshon; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 148; Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms, gation); “a skeleton covered with a skin; alive, however, but in a state of insanity” (Dmf. 1808 Jam.); a hobgoblin (Ib.). Also gaishener (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 142, obsol.). Also in n.Eng. dial.Slk. 1810 Hogg Forest Minstrel 122:
An' John will be a gaishen soon.Peb. a.1835 J. Affleck Waes o' Whisky 16:
Willy was a troubled gation.Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 14:
The grewsome gaishener . . . i the girnin Daith's Heed, coonjert . . . aa the braw folk wheegin an dancin.
2. “Any thing considered as an obstacle in one's way; as the furniture of a house, etc. when in a disorderly state” (Fif. 1808 Jam.).
Hence ill-gaishon'd, mischievous, ill-disposed (Ib.; Fif. 1952).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 103:
Skail that mad ill-gainshon'd [sic] byke O' Test'ment-men that doth us fyke.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxxiv.:
Jeames, ill-gaishon'd carl that he was, wadna be forbidden to relate sundry marvellous exploits performed by ghaists, witches. . . .
†II. adj. Extremely emaciated (Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 148).
[Of obscure origin. Sense 2. of the n. may be a different word.]
