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.
GOSPEL, n. Sc. usages in n. and adj. combs., with special reference to the Covenanters or to the evangelical movements that succeeded them: †1. gospel-gabbit, evangelical in pulpit style, preaching hell-fire; 2. gospel greedy, regular in church attendance, fond of going to church (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Ayr.4 1928; e.Rs. 1945; Slg., Kcb., Uls. 1955); cf. kirk-greedy s.v. Kirk, n.1, III. 14.; ‡3. gospel-hearer, a regular church-attender (Slg.3 1952); †4. gospel-hearted, pious; ¶5. gospel kail, fig., evangelical preaching; †6. gospel lad, a Covenanter (see Covenant); †7. gospel-minister, an evangelical minister.1. Fif. 1841 C. Gray Lays & Lyrics 200:
For he ne'er thumpit cushion dusty, . . . Nor — gospel-gabbit — still kept flyting, The lasses aye wi' mischief wyting.2. Kcb. 1885 J. S. McCulloch Poems 92:
Forth cam the gospel-greedy train, . . . Till we were left oor leefu' lane, To swither boot the preachin'.3. Edb. 1821 W. Liddle Poems 34:
Your gospel-hearer sair repents it.4. Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize III. i.:
That gospel-hearted woman spoke of what she would do with her children, if it was the Lord's pleasure to honour me with the crown of martyrdom.5. Ayr. 1786 Burns Ordination vi.:
For lapfu's large o' gospel kail Shall fill thy crib in plenty.6. Sc. 1803 Scott Minstrelsy III. 205:
Weel prosper a' the gospel lads That are into the west countrie; Ay wicked Claverhouse to demean.7. Ayr. 1823 Galt R. Gilhaize III. iv.:
Disconsolatory as it was to hear of such treatment of a gospel minister.
