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.
MISCHANCY, adj. 1. Unlucky, unfortunate, unhappy (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 114; Lth., Cld. 1880 Jam., Cai. 1903 E.D.D.; Uls. 1924 Northern Whig (10 Jan.); ne. and em.Sc. (a), sm. and s.Sc. 1963). Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1745 Scots Mag. (June) 275:
Our wint'rings too, will drown in bogs and glens, Fa' o'er high crags, and get mischancy ends.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch xix.:
In case the flames should, by ony mischancy accident or other, happen to break out again.Uls. 1895 J. Barlow Lisconnel 210:
Last week I got laid up wid this mischancy could.Bnff. 1934 J. M. Caie Kindly North 48:
But aft they [flowers] were, in some mischancy 'oor, A' blaadit by the cranreuch an' the snaw.
2. Risky, fraught with danger (Lth., Cld. 1880 Jam.). Gen.Sc.; of persons: untrustworthy, of questionable reputation.Sc. 1819 Blackwood's Mag. (Sept.) 637:
Country Laird, attracted from afar, With some mischancy Writer to engage.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 114:
He wiz at a gey mis-chancy ploy.Sc. 1887 Stevenson Underwoods 117:
Alang the steep roof stoyt an' stammer A gate mis-chancy.wm.Sc. 1907 N. Munro Daft Days xxix.:
Oh, it's a mischancy thing a mairrage, Miss Dyce.Rxb. 1913 Kelso Chron. (16 May) 3:
When this mischancy scheme was mooted, A bonnie row there was aboot it.Per. 1949 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 165:
Farming on the Isla is now a most mischancy business.
