Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SELCOUTH, adj. Also sil-. Strange, rare, unusual, odd. Obs. in Eng. in 16th c. Now only liter. or arch. in Sc.Sc. 1802 Scott Minstrelsy II. 291:
A selcouth sight they see.s.Sc. 1839 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 322:
A selcouth sight for auld een.Bnff. 1852 A. Harper Solitary Hours 95:
Now, Duncan was a silcouth wight.Bwk. 1856 G. Henderson Pop. Rhymes 68:
We listened to his strange and selcouth relations.
