Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PEER, v.1 Sc. usages in derivs.: 1. peerie, (1) n., a short-sighted, peering person (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Cf. Eng. cant peery, peering, suspicious; †(2) adj., timid, fearful, nervous (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); inquisitive, “nosey” (Uls. 1965); 2. reduplic. form peerie-weerie, -wearie, (1) adj. (i) having a strained, short-sighted appearance (Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Slk. 1965), blear-eyed, blinking (Sc. 1880 Jam.); (ii) quick to take notice, shrewd, perceptive, knowing; (2) n., a mysterious, slightly sinister person, a “dark horse” (Ayr. 1825 Jam.).2. (1) (i) m.Sc. 1946 R. G. Nettell Rum & Ginger i.:
A poor peerie-wearie creature like Euphie Boyce was out of place as mistress of the big house.(ii) Ayr. 1822 Galt Steamboat xii.:
An elderly man, of a composed appearance, with something, however, of a peery-weery twinkling about the een, which betrayed that he knew more than he let on.Sc. 1831 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1864) III. 280:
A pert, prim, pompous prater, wi' a peerie-weerie expression about the een.
