Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LESS, adj., n.1, adv., conj., prep. Also double compar. form lesser, adv. (Sh. 1899 Shetland News (25 Feb.)). Sc. usages:
I. adj. 1. Smaller in number, fewer. Gen.Sc. Obs. in Eng.Sc. 1799 W. Mitchell Scotticisms 51:
No less than a hundred men.Abd.27 1959:
There's less folk gings tae the Kirk nooadays.
2. Quasi-n. in phr.: frae less to mair, from one thing to another, gen. of something progressing in intensity (n.Sc., m.Lth., wm.Sc., Gall. 1960).Ayr. 1786 Burns To W. Simpson xxv.:
Frae less to mair, it gaed to sticks.Ayr. 1833 Galt Howdie, etc. (1923) 82:
Discoursing, as they went along, from less to more about the wealth of Mrs Clatterpenny.Sc. 1875 A. Hislop Sc. Anecdotes 67:
Frae less tae mair, they cam' the length O' quarrellin' wi' my sermons.
II. n. With o: The inferior in size (of), a smaller creature (than). Rare.ne.Sc. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 263:
There I met a little wee man. The less o' him I never saw.
III. adv. By metathesis for else, in or less, = or else. Common in Gsw. area (wm.Sc.2 1960).
IV. conj. Unless (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; Abd., Ags. 1960). Obs. in Eng.; lest (Id.).Abd. 1836 J. Grant Tales 191:
Speerits can hae naething ado wi' siller, Ye'd think 'less it waur for a sham.
V. prep. Except, with the exception of. Cf. sim. use of unless in Eng.Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales 92:
We didna lose a man, less poor Pollox.
