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.
Quotation dates: 1722-1746, 1812, 1881-1882
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†LIGGER, n., v. Also liger, liggar.
I. n. A military camp, esp. of a besieging force, a leaguer. Hence ligger-lady, a female camp-follower.Sc. 1722 R. Wodrow Sufferings iii. ii. s. 6:
I find the Earl in his Ligger at Kirkhill-park.Sc. 1746 Origins of the '45 (S.H.S.) 154:
They gave the alarm that the Rebels were at hand, this was immediately forwarded by the liger Ladys with a deal of consternation.Ags. 1812 R. Wighton Beggar's Son 41:
Less might saird a liger lady Followin' sodgers.Abd. 1881 W. Paul Past & Present 123:
I maun hae my gown made Like ony ligger lady.
II. v. To beleaguer, besiege. Pa.p. liggard.Abd. 1882 W. Forsyth Writings 32:
But oor braw Boord, wi' neither trust nor truce, Beseige an aul' wife like a liggard toun.
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"Ligger n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ligger>
