Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
OOZLIE, adj. Also ozelly (Jam.).
1. Slovenly, untidy, unkempt, dirty (Kcb. 1900). Also in Nhb. dial.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 367:
A person is said to be oozlie looking, when he has on a long beard, unbrushed clothes, and dirty shoes.
Hence (1) oozily, adv., in a befuddled and slovenly manner; (2) oozlieness, n., slovenliness, laziness (Sc. 1880 Jam.).(1) Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 79:
Wi' dancing and drinking, the night slided by, . . . And mony a drunken chiel ouzily did ly.
2. Dark-complexioned, swarthy (Lth. 1808 Jam.).
[Cf. Mid.Eng. usell, wretched, miserable. O.N. úsæll, unhappiness, úsælligr, poor-looking.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Oozlie adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Dec 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/oozlie>
