Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CAMPY, CAMPIE, adj. and n. Cf. Kempy. [′kɑmpi]
1. adj.
(1) Of persons: “bold, brave, heroical” (w.Rxb. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry, Gloss.; 1923 Watson W.-B.).wm.Sc. 1882 Anon. Songs and Ballads of Cld. 63:
There's a lad in Dunsyre, fu' campie and crouse, That fain wad hae Nelly to keep his bit house.
(2) Of horses: “mettlesome, brisk” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
†(3) “Elated by a flow of high spirits” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2). Hence campiness, elation, self-confidence, bumptiousness. Marked obs. by Watson. Sc. 1838 Chambers's Jnl. (3 Feb.) 16:
There is a boastfulness, or, as a Scotchman would call it, campiness, characteristic of a people generally prosperous.
‡(4) Quick- or ill-tempered (Sc. 1808 Jam.).Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
She's a campy limmer.
2. n. “One who strives, contends, or works vigorously” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., campie).
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"Campy adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/campy>
