Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
VOID, adj., v. Also voyd; voud (See O, letter, 2. (2) (vii) (b)), and Sh. forms vod(d). Sc. usages. [Sh. vɔd; Fif. †vʌud]
I. adj. Of a building: empty, unoccupied, cleared of its occupants and furnishings, as in Sc. Law phr. void and redd, of an obligation on a removing tenant to leave the house empty for the incoming tenant (see Redd, v., 4. (7)). In Sh. the word is commonly applied to a house which has been abandoned and is derelict (Sh. 1973). Now only dial. in Eng.Sh. 1888 B. R. Anderson Broken Lights 85:
Vod geese-skyaags, an' watter-mills.Sh. 1898 W. F. Clark Northern Gleams 19:
The cottage of Hillsgarth was vodd and rapidly falling into disrepair.Sh. 1949 New Shetlander No. 18. 41:
Another vodd hoose raised roofless walls towards the dawn.Sh. 1958 Shetland News (9 Sept.):
Da auld vodd hoose o' Still.Edb. 1994 Irvine Welsh Acid House 286:
Confused, I go back to the old place in Muirhouse. The hoose was still a void property, it hadn't been let. Sc. 2004 Scotsman 20 Apr 8:
Mr
Lennon said the GHA had exceeded its targets on repairs - which had
been suspended for a decade by the council due to lack of funds - with
more than 286,000 carried out last year. The number of void properties
was also slashed and rent arrears had "turned the corner", according to
the housing chief. Sc. 2004 Press and Journal 29 Sep 3:
"The continuing policy to retain void properties that cannot be let merely proliferates the stigma," he added.
II. v. As in Eng., now obs.: to go away, withdraw, in phr. voud ye, begone!, hence with you! Cf. Eng. †avoid thee, id.Fif. 1844 J. Jack St Monance 88:
Kitty, bring the haly beuck, for here's naething less than the foul fiend (voud ye, Sautan!).
