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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HEEZIE, n., adj. Also heezy, heisie, heazie, heezi, hyzie. [′hi:zi]

I. n. 1. A hoist, heave, a lift or jolt upwards (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 259; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Fif., Rxb. 1956); also fig. a toss, throw, pitching motion. Phr. to lend (somebody) a heezie, to send (someone) flying; fig. to exalt, encourage, raise the spirits.Sc. 1719 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 119:
I canna say But I may cock my Nose the Day, When Hamilton the bauld and gay, Lends me a Heezy.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 9:
That, every needy pilgrim on his way, . . . [May] get a heezy o'er the sleugh o' want.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
The word now most commonly used is heisie, heezie; one is said to get a heisie in a rough sea.Slk. 1810 Hogg Forest Minstrel 95:
Her een . . . hae gi'en my heart an unco heezy.Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems I. 148:
Yet, in this breast a wee thing beats, . . . It yet will get its heezy.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xiii.:
If he had stuck by the way, I would have lent him a heezie, the dirty scoundrel, as willingly as ever I pitched a boddle.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 33:
His memory shall not perish; it has got a famous heazie already.wm.Sc. 1837 Laird of Logan II. 134:
When the ladder gies such a creak and heezie up and down.Abd. 1993:
Gie's a hyzie up.

Comb.: blanket-heezie, see Blanket.

2. A drubbing, rough handling; also used fig. for anything that upsets one (Sc. 1808 Jam.), a sharp reprimand (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.).Sc. 1724 Ramsay T.T.Misc. (1876) I. 21:
And if I can but get it [sword] drawn, . . . I shall lay baith my lugs in pawn, That he shall get a heezy.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxv.:
But safe she is, and ne'er a living soul in the castle, a' the better for them — they wad have gotten an unco heezy.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 95:
An a heezy dere got he, Fir aa dat he hed düne.

3. A violent purging (n.Sc. 1825 Jam., s.v. Snifter).

II.adj. Heaving, tossing, rough, of the sea. Comb. heezy chair, a rocking chair.Edb. 1866 J. Smith Merry Bridal 12:
An' some gat heezy chairs — nae boon, For fient the haet o' them were soun'.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 182:
Miss Celandine's conversation was makin' her feel the very same way as she does on the steamer, when the water's heisie.

III. v. To sway, rock on one's feet, totter.Sc. 1849 A. Bell Melodies 92:
He hosts an' he wheezes, he hirples an' heezies.Ib. 138:
Heezy, to waver to and fro.