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.
ILL-DEEDIE, -Y, adj. Mischievous, unruly, wicked (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Cai. 1902 E.D.D., Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 12, Cai., Abd., Ags., Edb., s.Sc. 1958). Also ill-deedit (Abd. 1875 G. Macdonald Malcolm I. xviii.; Cai., Ags. 1958), -deedly (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.). Gen.Sc. See Deedie.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 179:
Till by comes some ill-deedy Gift, Wha in the Bulwark makes a Rift.Ayr. 1795 Burns Letters (Ferguson) No. 670:
An ill-deedie, damn'd, wee, rumble-gairie hurchin of mine.Hdg. a.1801 R. Gall Songs (1819) 2:
The Frenchmen, thae ill-deedy bodies.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Letter xi.:
We had better lay the haill dirdum on that ill-deedie creature, Major Weir.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxxiv.:
To see . . . that the ill-deedy bruckit stot didna brak his baikie, an' butt the unweel beastie in the stall ahent the door.Bwk. 1869 J. Landreth Fastern's E'en 28:
Reddin' up, afore his Lordship, your misdeeds, and insistin' wi' a' his birr, for an example to gliff the ill-deedy.Per. 1881 R. Ford Hum. Sc. Readings 98:
He had the Druid circle to pass, whaur ill-deedie fairies danced an' played a' manner o' deevilish cantrips.wm.Sc. 1903 S. Macplowter Mrs McCraw 10:
A'll tak' care ye winna, ye ill-deedit scemp, ye!Lth. 1928 S. A. Robertson With Double Tongue 31:
Fortune's a thrawn ill-deedy quean, that mony a pliskie plays.
