Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STIFE, n., v. Also st(e)yfe; stoif. [stəif]
I. n. A close, suffocating atmosphere, a choking vapour or smoke, a smoky sulphurous smell (Dmf. s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; s.Sc. 1971). Also in n.Eng. dial.Bwk. c.1830 W. Brockie Leaderside Leg. (1876) 46:
Yer bairntime amang styfe and reek In clarty closes spent.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 22:
The birslin' lunt an' reek an' stife.
II. v. To choke, suffocate. Ppl.adj. stifin, stifling (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Lnk., Ayr. 1971). Comb. st(e)yfe eyne, dense drifting snow (ne.Sc. c.1855 Abd. Jnl. N. & Q. VIII. 115; Bnff. 1927). For eyne see Aynd, breath, and cf. Smore, n., but it is somewhat uncertain whether this expression belongs here. Cf. Stith, I. 3.
[Appar. a back-formation from stifle.]
