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.
Quotation dates: 1890
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POVIE, adj. Also povy. Of persons: in easy circumstances, comfortably off, having enough money to live in comfort. snug, well-endowed (Per. 1825 Jam.).
Hence by extension, self-satisfied, rather smug (Fif. 1825 Jam.).Knr. 1890 H. Haliburton In Sc. Fields 61:
Peter Anderson — a povy body as ony i the parish; but he has nae bairns.
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"Povie adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/povie>
