Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†GEENYOCH, adj., n. Also geenoch, guyn-, genyough, gine-.
I. adj. 1. Ravenous, voracious (Ayr. 1811 W. Aiton Agric. Ayr. 692, gineough; Lnk., Ayr. 1825 Jam., genyough); gluttonous (Upp. Lnk. 1825 Jam., geenyoch).
2. Greedy for money, avaricious (Upp. Lnk. 1825 Jam.). Hence (1) geenyochly, adv. gluttonously, greedily (Ayr. Ib.); (2) geenyochness, n., greed (either for food or money) (Ib.).(1) Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. vi.:
Throwe a middlin gainstaunin ye fa' awa frae what ye begude, an' syne owre geenyochly seek eftir consolement.
II. n. A greedy person (Ayr. 1825 Jam., geenoch, guynoch).
[Gael. gionach, greedy (for food or money), greed, gluttony.]