Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1899-1966
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PLEE, n., v. Also pli (Jak.).
I. n. 1. The thin piping cry of a bird, esp. a young gull (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 14:
The plee o' the skorie, the birr o' the snipe.Ork. 1949 “Lex” But-end Ballans 21:
De plee-plee-plee o' de reedshanks as dey ran i' de face o' de ebb.
2. A sea-gull (Sc. 1905 A. Forbes Gaelic Names 281; Abd. 1948), the young of the gull before changing its first plumage (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; Sh., Fif. 1966). Also as a call to a gull.Sh. 1966:
We called to the young gulls “skurr-plee”, i.e. like “kussi” to a cow.
II. v. To cry with a high-pitched, wailing note, like a young gull (Sh. 1908 Jak. 1928).
[Imit. Cf also Pleengie.]
