Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
UNFREELY, adj., adv. Also unfre(e)lie, on-freely.
I. adj. 1. Heavy, weighty, unwieldy (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Abd. 1931; Bnff. 1973). Also used adv. Hence unfreelisome (Abd. 1925, unfreely-like, id. See Freely, adj.Kcb. 1815 J. Gerrond Works 70:
Whiles I've seen unfreely boshens, Cat and tire lang or 'twas noon.Abd. 1895 William Alexander The Laird of Drammochdyle (1986) 70:
Mrs Ellison had fallen upon the ice and was sair daumer't, being an on-freely woman.Abd. c.1930:
She's an unfreely-like frow.
2. Frail, feeble (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.). This meaning is not otherwise attested and probably results from confusion with Freel, v., q.v.
II. adv. Very, rather, somewhat. This usage appears to be due to confusion with Freely, adv.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 203:
She's unfreelie weighty to lift.
