Show Search Results Show Browse

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

GURTHIE, adj. Also gurthy; gurdy.

1. Corpulent, fat, large of girth (Sc. 1882 Mackay Poetry and Humour Sc. Lang. 116; ‡Fif., m.Lth. 1955). Also fig.Sc. 1827 W. Motherwell Minstrelsy Intro. lxxiv.:
In 1784, a gurdy little volume was published at Hawick.
Lnl. 1881 H. Shanks Musings 237:
A spotless apron, pure and white, Hangs gaily owre his gurdy kyte.
Fif. 1901 “G. Setoun” Skipper of Barncraig iv.:
I canna agree that it has the fine gurthy sound o' Philosophy, or even the full meanin'.

2. Heavy, oppressive; “applied especially to what burdens the stomach” (Fif. 1825 Jam., Fif. 1955). Also fig.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. of Christ ii. xii.:
Gin ye fling awa' ae cross, dootless ye'll fin' anither an' aiblins a gurthier ane.

[Eng. girth, circular measurement + -Ie.]

You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.

"Gurthie adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 22 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gurthie>

13859

snd

Hide Advanced Search

Browse SND:

    Loading...

Share: