Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

‡MISSLIE, adj. Also missly; mistlie, -y. [′mɪsle]

1. Alone, lonely, solitary because of the absence of some usual companion (Rxb., Slk. 1802 J. Sibbald Chrons. Sc. Poetry IV. Gl.; Lth. 1825 Jam., mistly; Uls. 1963). Hence misslieness, loneliness, solitude, isolation (Cld. 1825 Jam.).Uls. 1903 E.D.D.:
It is very mistly, wanting the dog.

2. Missed, regretted owing to one's absence; causing inconvenience for lack of it.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 348:
We say such a one is misslie, when his presence is missed anywhere, and thought to be awanting.Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 151:
A mistlie thing, a useful thing which it is awkward to be without.Uls. 1922 S. S. McCurry Ballads of Ballytumulty 31:
I've had a notion aff an' on Of makin' her my own: She's missly wantin' sure enough.

3. Lost or bewildered on a road (Rxb. 1857 Jam.).

4. Dreary, eerie (Ib.).