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: 1753-1845, 1929-1957
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HERTLESS, adj. Also heartless. Sc. usages:
1. Disheartened, discouraged, dejected, spiritless. Gen.Sc. Now mostly arch. or poet. in Eng.Sc. 1753 Scots Mag. (July) 315:
A shapeless, helpless, heartless body.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 18:
In this poor pickle heartless Nory lies, Rowing her head, amind to never rise.s.Sc. 1793 T. Scott Poems 359:
Thrice owr Annie's name did blatter, Syne sank heartless on the yerd.Abd. 1845 P. Still Cottar's Sunday 85:
But heartless ower thy fate I'll croon, An' sever'd ties.
2. Cheerless, dismal, discouraging (Abd., wm.Sc., Dmf. 1957).Ayr. 1786 Burns Winter i.:
And bird and beast, in covert, rest, And pass the heartless day.Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 183:
The stibble field, Seems unco heartless round.w.Sc. 1929 R. Crawford Quiet Fields 36:
Gie me the hill at dwynin' day; Ae hertsome star in hertless blae.Abd. 1957:
It's a gey hertless state o' affairs.
