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.
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.]
