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.
†GLID, adj. Also glade, glaid.
1. Smooth, easy in motion (Sc. 1808 Jam.), “spoken of doors, bolts, etc. that go smoothly” (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, glade). Also in n.Eng. dial. Hence glaidly, smoothly.Sc.(E) 1935 W. Soutar Poems 55:
And lichtsome, in the mirkl'd air, A star gangs glaidly owre the hill.
2. Slippery, gen. used of ice (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also used fig. of a person who is not to be trusted (Ib.).Sc. 1868 Royal Caled. Curling Club Ann. 281:
Be canny, the ice is gey glid.Rnf. 1888 J. Nicholson Tibbie's Garland 179:
Noo loupin' like a thing o' life atween the stappin' stanes, Glid steps that bare our paidlin' feet when we were bits o' weans.
