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.
Quotation dates: 1835-1895
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GLEGNESS, n. Sharpness, keenness; cleverness (Sh.10, Abd.27, Rxb.4 1954).Sc. 1835 J. W. Carlyle Letters (ed. Froude 1883) I. 37:
I heard, with my wonted glegness — what think you? — a couple of handsome smacks!Sc. 1876 S. R. Whitehead Daft Davie 165:
It was a story that her mother tell't me about her glegness.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags v.:
The Lord . . . did not stint me as to glegness of eye.