Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HANTY, adj. Also haunty.
1. Convenient, handy (Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems II. (S.T.S.) Gl.; w.Sc. 1825 Jam.).Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 180:
Thon was the hantiest biel, in truth, That e'er I saw.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i.viii:
We maun loe a' men, bot it isna haunty tae be owre thick wi' thame.
Hence adv. hantily, conveniently.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 209:
Baith hantily and cantily Your Supplicant shall sing.
2. Easily managed (Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems, Gl.); “often applied to an animal” (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
3. Handsome (Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. Gl.).wm.Sc. 1788 R. Galloway Poems 214:
I ne'er get a touzle at a', But Lizie they think far mair hanty.
