Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WARY, v. Also warry, waurro. To beware, be on one's guard (Fif. 1710 R. Sibbald Hist. Fif. (1803) 33, warry). Freq. in imper. = look out!, be careful!, watch! [′wɑre, ′wɑro]Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond B. Bowden (1922) 128:
There was a tremendjis yawl. “Waurro”, roared Sandy's voice.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy (1899) 13:
He'll better waurro, if I get a haud o' him.Per. 1898 C. Spence Poems 27:
See he [a mad dog] comes! — Wary men!
