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.
HASSOCK, n. Also hassick, hussock, -ick and curtailed form hasso. Sc. usages:
1. A large round tuft of peat-moss used as a seat (s.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ork., Bnff. (hussock), Abd., Kcd., Per. 1956).Ork. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. i. 20:
The high straw-backed and hooded stools were reserved for the master and mistress of the house, while the other inmates were content with the low, round straw stool, without a back, or with a hasso cut from a tuack of burra.Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. 34:
The strongest and finest handiwork in straw was that of straw-stools and hassos for family use. Adj. hussockie, of a field: full of tufts of rank grass (Abd.31 1957).
2. A besom (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).
3. Fig. A shock of bushy hair (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 278; Sh. 1902 E.D.D.; ne.Sc. 1956).Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 33:
Wi' a great hassick o' hair hingin . . . about her haffats.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxxiv.:
His tatty pow, that ne'er had a better covering than his ain shaggy hassock of hair.Per. 1821 T. Atkinson Three Nights 36:
We fan half-a-dizzen great big hizzies ilka ane . . . on her kist, greasin' her hassocks o' sheep's woo', that she ca'd hair.Ags. 1851 T. Watson Rhymer's Family 4:
Wi' curly hassock thick and black, And brawny arms and buirdly back.Kcb. 1896 Crockett Grey Man xlix.:
His lionlike eyes shining from under his hassock of grey hair.
