Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HERONIOUS, adj. 1. Disregarding or defying established habits and ideas, unconventional, outrageous (Ayr. 1957).Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 196:
Robin Burns was juist in the next farm, Mossgiel, an' dod! the dyvour, — for he was naething but a dyvour, an' heronious tae, like you, see ye, thocht naething o' makin' a poem on the Lord's day!Ib. 226:
Quo he, “Mrs Whalbert, I'll tell ye hoo aften I say a grace. When I get a new cheese, or a lade o' meal . . . I juist rax owre't an' blether awa a wee for't a'” . . . He was aye a wil' heronious talkin' dyvour.Ayr. 1957:
It's jist heronious the wey she spends her money.
2. Of wind: violent (Slk. 1957).
[O.Sc. hyronius, erroneous, misguided, from 1668.]
