Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MISCHIEF, n. Also mischieff (Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms lvii. 11), mischeef (Abd. 1868 G. Macdonald R. Falconer i. xvi.; Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 54; Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1923–6 Wilson); misshieff (Ork. 1963). [mɪs′tʃif; I.Sc. -′ʃif]
1. Misfortune, trouble (I.Sc., Ags., Uls. 1963). Obs. in Eng.Ayr. 1803 A. Boswell Works (1871) 6:
I should wish mischief on ye for't, But canna wish ought ill to you.Slk. 1827 Hogg Tales (1874) 185:
I'm amaist fleyed out o' my wits among a' ither mischiefs.m.Lth. 1857 Misty Morning 287:
To keep mysel' free o' a' scrapes and mischeef.
2. A severe physical injury, bodily harm. Gen.Sc. Obs. in Eng.Ayr. 1786 Burns A. Armour's Prayer vii.:
She's got mischief enough already, Wi' stanget hips and buttocks bluidy She's suffered sair.Ags. 1823 A. Balfour Foundling II. viii.:
Dinna struggle wi' them to get a mischief.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 228:
He got an awfou mischief wee a steen fa'in' on's leg.Abd. 1875 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 88:
Aiven doon ill-eesage like that. It's aneuch to gi'e 'im a mischief.
