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.
Quotation dates: 1827
[0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]
GLAIRY, adj. Sc. form and usages of Eng. glary, dazzling, glaring, in comb. glairy-flairy, 1. adj., gaudy, showy (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sh.10 (rare), Abd., m.Lth.1 1954);
†2. n.pl., “gaudy trappings of little value, and unbecoming in the wearer” (Ags. 1808 Jam.).1. Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 31:
She wale'd out ane, a pretty fairy, Beltit wi' ribbons glairy-flairy.
