Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

SNAWIE, adj. Also snawy, snaaie (Sh.); snavy (Abd. 1965 Fraserburgh Herald (26 March) 6), snauvy (Abd. 1928 Word-Lore III. 149), snyavie (Abd. 1912 J. Stephen Donside Lilts 28), snyauvie (Bch. 1929 J. Milne Dreams o Buchan 52). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. snowy. Combs.: 1. snawie-ba, a snowball (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Sh., Cai. 1970); 2. snawie-fuil, the snow bunting, Plectrophenax nivalis (Sh. 1970). 3. snaaie heads, see quot. (Sh. 1970). [′snɑe, ′snǫe; Bch. + ‡′snjɑvi]2. Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 97:
Da snawie fuils wi' coorin' wing Aroond da door cam' pickin'.3. Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 115:
Large masses of white clouds, called in winter snaaie heads.