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.
Quotation dates: 1790, 1932
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WEEZE, v. Also weese, wease. [wi:z]
1. To ooze, exude, to emit oily matter or moisture (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Vbl.n. weezin, weesin', (1) the oozing of an ulcer (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 210); (2) coughing (Bwk. Ib.); adj. weezie, oozing, oozy.Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 105:
Or sinn'd ye wi' yon greetin' cheese, Frae which the tears profusely weeze.Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Scots Sangs 28:
Jockie, gie yer spaud a cuttle, Red the weezie ditch.
2. In comb. weese allan, wease alley, Richardson's skua, Stercorarius crepidatus, from the mistaken notion that this bird catches and eats the excrement of gulls (Ork. 1849 Zoologist VII. 2393, wease alley, Ork. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 210). See Alan, Scoutiallan.
[O.Sc. wheese, c.1620, Mid.Eng. wese, O.E. wēsan, to ooze, wōs, ooze. Cf. Wuss.]
