Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DREARY-, DREARI-. In adj. derivs. drearifu, drearysome, sad, dreary (Bnff.2 1940; Abd., Ags., Per. 1949 (per Abd.27), Edb.1 1940). Also in Yks. and Nhp. dial.Mry. 1806 R. Jamieson Pop. Ballads I. 297:
Three nichts i' this drearifu manner Frae Habbie she keepit abeich.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Rock and wee pickle Tow vi.:
Yet in spite o' my counsel if they will needs run The drearysome risk of the spinning o't.
Hence drearysomeness, desolateness, dreariness (Bnff.2, Abd.27 1940).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 223:
The drearysomeness o' the place is jist something beyon' the beyont.
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"Dreary- ". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dreary>
