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.
VENGEANCE, n. Sc. usage in imprecations, esp. in phrs. what a or the vengeance, the muckle vengeance, = the devil!, malediction!, mischief! Obs. in Eng.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 40:
What the vengeance, uncle, sudna fouks die when they're auld?Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley xxx.:
D'ye think the lads will care for yer stool o' repentance? Vengeance on the black face o't!Fif. 1824 J. Bissett Poems 61:
The muckle vengeance blaw ye south.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth vi.:
Art thou beside thyself, boy? or what a vengeance takes thee from the city, like the wing of the whirlwind.
