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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MEYSIE, n. Also maisie, m(a)ysie. An Ags. (Arbroath) name for the common wild primrose, Primula vulgaris (Ags. 1962). [′məizi]Ags. 1883 in G. Hay Round O 267:
The pale-star “Mysie” opes her e'e, The birds their songs renew.
Ags. 1903 Arbroath Guide (16 May) 3:
We used to be up wi' the laricks on the first Sunday o' May, an' awa oot the cliffs to gether maisies.
Ags. 1949 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 412:
She brocht me this posie o' maisies frae Seaton Den . . . He stood . . . looking down at the bunch of primroses.

[Poss. Mey, n. + 's + Ee, on analogy with Eng. daisy. But phs. a dim. form of Mey, n., 2.]

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