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: 1789-1836, 1900-1928
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†KIRR, adj. Also kir. [kɪr]
1. Cheerful, lively, brisk, “cocky”, self-satisfied, consequential (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 305; Ayr., Gall., Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 350); smart, trim, bright in appearance (Dmf. 1864–5 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. (1867) 56).Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 25:
Syne, at his heels, in troops The rest rin brattlin after, kir and crouse, Like couts an' fillies starting frae a post.Ayr. 1808 Jam.:
To look kir, to have a smile of satisfaction on the countenance.Dmf. 1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun 23:
The journeymen were a' sae gaucy, Th' apprentices sae kir and saucy.Sc. 1824 Scots Mag. (May) 541:
The Doctor, imagining that the Judge really stood in need o' information upon that particular point, was as kir as a fighting cock.Kcb.4 1900:
Kirr — crouse, confident, like a bantam cock.Sc.(E) 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 7:
Bang'd to his breeks wi' unco birr, Hummin' an' strummin' blithe an' kirr.
Hence kirry, cheery, jovial. Also adv.Dmf. 1836 J. Mayne Siller Gun 65:
Cracking his jokes wi' friends sae kirry.
2. “Fond, amorous, wanton” (Ayr., Gall., Dmf. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 350; Kcb.4 1900).Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Poems 83:
He casts a wink, she's kirr and couth And draws the water to his mouth.Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan III. ii.:
Wha was't that looked sae kirr and sae cantie when I spake o' settling down.
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"Kirr adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kirr_adj>
