We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†UBAADOUS, adj. Also ubadous, oobades; ob(j)adous (Jak.). Useless, incapable, weakly (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 192, 1908 Jak. (1928)). [u′b(j)ɑdəs]

[Of somewhat uncertain formation, from Norw. u-, neg. pref. (= Eng. un-) + the root bat- meaning improvement, advantage (Eng. bett-er), as in Unbatnafoo. There may have been a conflation between Norw. dial. batelaus, useless, unprofitable, disadvantageous, and ubateleg, id.]

27993

snd