Dictionaries of the Scots Language:: SND

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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: 1929

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POVILY, adj. Feeble, feckless, spiritless, lacking in energy and initiative.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
A puir povily body — she kunno even do for hersel.

[Orig. uncertain. ? A corruption of Favillo (see Suppl.).]