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.
PISKIE, adj. Also peeskie (Jam.). [′pɪski] Of grass, hair, wool or the like: dry, withered, shrivelled, stunted (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 383; Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 152; Kcb., Dmf. 1922); of ground: covered with scrubby vegetation, marshy (Cld. 1825 Jam.). Also in ppl. form pisket, id. (MacTaggart; Wgt. 1966); of persons: gaunt and ill-looking (Sh. 1966); fig., dry and brusque in manner (MacTaggart); Ayr. 1940). Also adv.MacTaggart:
To behave dryly to a friend is to behave pisket.
