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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†WALSH, adj. Also welsh (see Peelie, adj., 2.) and deriv. walshoch.

1. Insipid, lacking in flavour (Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron Sc. Poetry Gl.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 206, walshoch). Also in n.Eng. dial. Deriv. walsh(och)ness, insipidity (Ib.).

2. Only in deriv.: pale and sickly-looking (Mry. 1925).

[O.Sc. welsche, nauseous, 1513, an altered form of warsh, Wersh. For the l/r alternation see L, letter, 4, R, letter, 4.]

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