We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

IRISH, adj., n. Also †irisch. Cf. Eerish, Erse, adj., n.2 Sc. usages:

I. adj. Of the Gaelic language of the Scottish Highlands. See II. 2.; Gaelic-speaking.Sc. 1700 R. Wodrow Early Let. (S.H.S.) 115:
I have these 2 or 3 years had thoughts of learning the Irish toungue.Inv. 1703 Inv. Session Rec. (Mitchell 1902) 43:
He that Catechises the Irish people.Sc. a.1737 Major Fraser's MS. (Fergusson 1889) II. 54:
My Lord Lovat spoke in Irish to the Major that the Landlord might not understand them.Ayr. 1763 Ayr Presbytery Reg. MS. (31 Aug.):
Every Minister who sent their Collections for Irish Students.Sc. 1782 Caled. Mercury (11 May):
John Fletcher, born in the parish of Glenorchy . . . speaks the Irish tongue.

II. n. 1. An Irishman. Pl. Irishes. Now obs. exc. hist.Sc. 1719 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) II. 426:
It vexeth us to hear that the wild Irishes are coming down.Sc. 1819 Scott L. Montrose iii.:
Wherefore these valiant Irishes, being all put to the sword, as is usual in such cases, did nevertheless gain immortal praise and honour.

2. The Gaelic language of Scotland. Sc. Gaelic became distinct in its written form from Irish about the middle of the 18th c. and the term Irish in this sense died out about the end of the century. See Gaelic, and Erse, n.2Inv. 1708 Inv. Session Rec. (Mitchell 1902) 68:
None of any rank or degree what somever after the date hereof who falls being found to have English shall be allowed to stand in order to their giveing satisfaction in the new Kirk, where Irish only is taught.Sth. 1731 C. D. Bentinck Dornoch (1926) 288:
To buy a large Kirk bible in order to have some person reading in Irish to the congregation before the minister come to church.Abd. 1748 Abd. Journal (5–12 April):
William Fraser, born in the County of Inverness, 27 or 28 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 8 Inches high, looks down as he walks, and speakes a little through the Irish.Sc. 1784 Forfeited Estate Papers (S.H.S.) 217:
Schools useful in learning the young English, and the masters discharge the Scholars to speak Irish.

15637

snd