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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

OOGLY, adj. Also o(u)gly; oogly Cai.; oagly Arg. 2000s. Sc. forms of Eng. ugly (n.Sc., Ags., Fif., Uls. 1964). Superl. oogliest. Hence oogliness (Abd. 1875 G. MacDonald Malcolm xxv.). [′ugli]Sc. 1707 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) I. 113:
It was ane apparition of ane litle old man about the height of the table, with a fearful ougly face.
Arg. c.1825 in Colville (1909) 144:
O it buitie be an ogly thing That mougres thus o'er me.
Abd. 1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie III. v.:
The oogliest, ill-fauredest cratur o' a serpent 'at ever was seen.
Fif. 1894 J. Menzies Our Town 26:
I'll thraw his oogly neck.
Bnff. 1955 Banffshire Jnl. (19 July):
Tak' that, an' that, an' that, ye oogly thievin' deevil that ye are!

[This pronunciation was current in Eng. till 17th c. and still survives in dial.]

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