Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MELDY, n. Also meldi(e); melda. The corn spurrey, Spergula arvensis (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 143, 1947 Folk-Bk. (Tait) I. 84).
Combs.: meldy-grass, -girse, id. (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1962); meldi-seeds, the seeds of this plant. [′mɛldi]Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 42:
Da kail . . . dats gaen ower wi' shickenwirt runshick an' melda.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Formerly meldi-seeds were often ground into meal, of which loaves (round cakes, brønis) were made, partly unmixed, and frequently mixed with corn.
