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-WIN(D), n., v. Also -ween (Bnff.).
I. n. †1. Dislike, aversion, ill-will.Sc. 1852 Tait's Mag. (Dec.) 716:
She has sich an ill wind to him that she wad hirple a hunder miles to see him on the scaffold.
2. Scandal, slander, evil report (of someone) (Bnff.2, Abd.2 1946), used jocularly in 1866 quot. of gossip.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 88:
A hinna seen ye sin ye cam haim. Come our bye some forenicht, an' gee's yir ill-ween.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xix.:
D' ye think 't the laird wud hear ony o' his ill-win' aboot respectable fowk.
3. Impudence, abusive language (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 88, -ween; ne.Sc. 1958).
II. v. To employ abusive language to a person (Gregor). Hence vbl.n. ill-weenan, the act of using abuse (Ib.), ppl.adj. -win'et, scandal-mongering, slanderous.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xx.:
Nae ill! gaen awa' sittin' doon drinkin' in a hovel o' a tent, wi' a leein', ill-win'et creatur like that.
