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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GRUNSIE, n. Also groncie, grunshy. A big, stoutly-built person; also applied to large or imposing-looking objects.Abd. 1788 J. Skinner in Caled. Mag. 500:
Syne lightit whare faes were maist thick, Gart ae gruff grunshy grane. [Amusements (1809) 45, grunsie.]
Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 8:
Ay, man; isna that [pipe] a gey groncie? . . . Awyte she smokes rael weel, bit jist gey heavy to haud i' yer mou'.

[? Reduced form of Grandsher, a great-grandfather, with extended meaning.]

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