Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
READY, adj., v. Also Sc. forms: †readie (Fif. 1715 J. Sinclair Memoirs 30), †redy (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 133), †reddie (Inv. 1716 Steuart Letter Bk. (S.H.S.) 40); †reathy (ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 211; Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. xi. 101). Sc. usages:
I. adj. 1. Combs.: ¶(1) ready-deddy, ready cash. Cf. colloq. Eng. the ready, id.; (2) ready-row, a swell in the sea. See Row.(1) Edb. 1881 J. Smith Habbie and Madge 62:
“Can ye no deal wi' the ready-deddy, an' gang where ye like?” “Hoo can I dae that, . . . there's an auld back debt o' thirty shillings aye lyin' owre.”(2) Abd. 1885 Folk-Lore Jnl. III. 306:
Old Footdee fishermen call this excitability of the sea “the ready row”, and say that it is caused by the thickness of the water.
2. Prone, apt, liable, likely, in constructions with inf. or gerund (Ork., n. and em. Sc.(a), wm., sm. and s.Sc. 1967).Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond B. Bowden (1922) 44:
Fowk's so ready speakin' noo-a-days.Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 335:
There's sae mony tummocks that ye knock against ye're ready to be knocked down.Ork., Abd. 1967:
I am ready makin mistaks.
II. v. 1. tr. To get ready, prepare. Also in Eng. dial. The Uls. examples show confusion with Redd, v.Sc. 1834 Tait's Mag. (Dec.) 730:
There hae been a power o' lair waired on me to ready me for't.Uls.
a.1908
Traynor (1953):
Go in and ready yourself. Ready out the bottom o' the boat. Lend me a knife till I ready out my pipe.
2. To cook food, to prepare a meal (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Sc. 1904 E.D.D.; Slg., wm., sm.Sc. 1967). Used pass. in 1768 quot. Ppl.adj. readied, cooked, ready to serve. Also in Eng. dial.Sc. 1721 R. Wodrow Sufferings i. v. s.2:
He had nothing but Barley for his Bread, and his Fuel to ready it with was Sea-tangle and Wrack.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shep. MSS. 131:
And now while dinner's readying.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 137:
The readied kail stand by the chimley cheeks.Sc. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. i. v.:
Can a Tartar be said to cook when he only readies his steak by riding on it?Kcb. 1901 Crockett Cinderella xli.:
Megsy Tipperlin, that “readied” meat for your faither and your faither's faither.wm.Sc. 1956 Bulletin (12 April):
What happens to the readying of meals?
