Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MESCHANT, adj., n. Also meshant; mischant; mus(c)hin-. [′mɪʃən-, mə′ʃɑnt-]

I. adj. Wicked, bad, evil, offensive. Chiefly Sc. since 16th c. Now only in combs. and derivs.: 1. mushinfow, cruel (w.Lth. 1825 Jam.); 2. meshantlie, mischantlie, cruelly, wickedly. Obs. in Eng.; 3. mischantness, wickedness, mischief; 4. mischanpratt, muschinprat, a mischievous trick (Lth. 1825 Jam.). See Pratt; ironically, a great or important deed (Fif. 1825 Jam.); 5. mischant youther, meshantydoor, mechantoder, a disagreeable or offensive smell (n.Sc., Lth., w.Sc. 1825 Jam.). The second element represents odour.2. Dmf. 1830 R. Broun Mem. Curl. Mab. 88:
I'm right mischantlie dealt wi'.Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. xxvi.:
Carnal consolement . . . draas me awa frae the luve o' things eternal, an' meshantlie weises me tae the sel o't be pittin' afore me some delichtsome guid.3. Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables 14:
A pawky Paddock, wi' a Rat acquent, Ance on a time was on mischantness bent.5. Abd. 1912 Scotsman (19 Jan.):
“Meshantydoor” (accent on second syllable), used to describe a bad smell (méchant odeur). I was told some time ago of the word being used by a farmer's wife when passing near a pig-sty, the good lady at the same time holding her nose to keep out the objectionable smell.Edb. 1986:
Incidentally, my ancient Granny (born ca 1850) spoke natural Edinburgh Scots, and she had at least two "Frenchisms" ...; and I have heard her refer to a "mechantoder that wad scomfish a cuddy", clearly a "mechant odeur" a "bad smell" that would nauseate a donkey.

II. n. Nonce eclectic usage: the wicked, evil-doers.Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. iv.:
The girns an' the venim o' the meschant.