Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DAEINLESS, adj. Also in anglicised form doin' less. Unprosperous, feckless; clumsy, awkward (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 237; Fif. 1975).Sc. 1826 M. Dods Manual II. 150:
Wad ye but speak a guid word for his custom to puir doin'less Davy. Ags. 1899 C. Sievwright Garland 11:
A fell twa'rthree, poor doinless boddies like mysel', wha never had ae saxpence to rub on anither a' the days o' their life.

[From vbl.n. of Dae, v.¹ (see B. 5.) + -less. Cf. Daeless.]