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.
Quotation dates: 1816, 1871-1954
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HARDY, -IE, adj. Sc. usages:
1. Resolute, determined, bold, in phr. to keep up a hardy heart, to be stout hearted (Ags., m.Lth., Wgt. 1956). Also used adv., with resolution. Now obsol. in Eng.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality xiv.:
It's aye gude to keep up a hardy heart — as broken a ship's come to land.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb v.:
"Drink hardy noo!" cried Maister Saun'ers, as Jock made a gruesome face, . . . "Ye sud gae at it hardier, an' ye wud never think aboot the taste o't."
2. In good health (Ags. c.1907 per Fif.14; Abd., m.Lth., Kcb., Rxb. 1956).Ags. 1893 F. Mackenzie Cruisie Sk. 127:
She's wonderfu' hardy for a' that's she's no sae young as she has been.Abd.27 1954:
Are ye onie hardie wi your stamack?
3. Frosty (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Sc. 1902 E.D.D.; Rnf. c.1920; m.Lth., Wgt., Kcb. 1956).Uls. 1910 C. C. Russell Ulster 41:
A "hardy mornin'" or a "shairp mornin'" would indicate a touch of frost.
4. Combs. (where hardy is equivalent to hard): (1) hardyback, a young coalfish (Ork. c.1930 Fishery Board Gl.); (2) hardyheids, the ribwort, Plantago lanceolata (Wgt. 1956); the game played with the stalks of the plant (Kcb.10 1941). Cf. Hardheid, n., 2. (3) and Kemp, n.3
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"Hardy adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hardy>
