Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SAIRIOUS, adj. Also sarious. Gen.Sc. forms of Eng. serious (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii.; Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona ii., 1931 J. Lorimer Red Sergeant xii.). See P.L.D. § 42. Hence sairiously (Abd. 1880 G. Webster Crim. Officer 92, 1912 G. Greig Mains's Wooin' 46), -ness. With on: intent (on) (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Comb.: sarious-pow'd, serious-minded. See Pow. [′se:rɪəs]Rxb. 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes 4:
A met twae awfih sairious-on chiels.Edb. 1928 A. D. Mackie In Two Tongues 19:
Aye sarious-pow'd, and canny o' hand and slaw.Edb. 2005:
He's an awfie sairious laddie.
