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: 1786, 1839
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†MELVIE, v., adj. Also melvy; misprinted melrie in Book of Galloway (1882) 20.
I. v. To coat with a film of meal or flour, as a miller's clothes (Sc. 1808 Jam.). See also meal-melvied s.v. Meal, n. Vbl.n. melvyin, a covering or powdering of meal.Ayr. 1786 Burns Holy Fair xxv.:
Sma' need has he to say a grace, Or melvie his braw claithing!s.Sc. 1839 Wilson's Tales of the Borders X. 254:
Only look at my back, and think hoo sic a melvyin wad suit on your fine black coat.
II. adj. Coated or soiled with meal (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).
[Voiced form of *melwie < melw-, stem of O.E. melu, meal. Cf. — Ie, suff., D.]
