Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†PERGADDUS, n., adv. Also pergad(d)is, pargeddis.

I. n. A heavy blow or fall, a thump, wallop (Ags. 1825 Jam.); a clatter, bang, a noisy burst of energy.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin xxxv.:
[He] flang himsel' doon on a furm beside her wi' . . . a fearfu' pergaddus.Ags. 1881 J. S. Neish Byways 157:
The “put” Samson gave the Deacon on the shoulder knocked him back owre wi' sic a pergadis.Ags. 1900:
Fat gars ye set aboot yer hoosewark wi' sic a pergaddis?Abd. 1932 R. L. Cassie Sc. Sangs 22:
Buchan chiels are nae that bauch, They thole a gey pergaddis.

II. adv. Thump!, with a bang or clatter.Ags. 1894 J. B. Salmond My Man Sandy xvii.:
He juist exakly landit pargeddis in a fisherwife's lap.