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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.

RACKLESS, adj. Also rackles, -liss (Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 88), rakless. Sc. forms of Eng. reckless (Sc. 1818 Sawers, Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Uls. 1953 Traynor, I.Sc., Wgt. 1967). Comb. rackless-handed, apt to do things in a heedless, slap-dash manner. Deriv. racklessly, recklessly, heedlessly (Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 120).Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 18:
The waefou Thud, Be rackless Death, wha came unsenn To Lucky Wood.Sc. 1724 Ib. III. 82:
I deimt Dame Nature was gane will. To rair with rackles Reil.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shep. (S.T.S.) 193:
For me, I soon sall take a rackless race, An' gae where I had never kend a face.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 24:
Ane [lamb] tak's a sten across the foggy fur' Wi' rackless force, syne at his heels in troops The rest rin brattlin after.Sc. 1829 Scotch Haggis 371:
Ah, that rackless stupid laddie, Jamie, no half tenty.Gsw. 1844 J. Lemon Lays St. Mungo 51:
It [spate] rooted up the younglin' trees An' scores o' ither outbye things It rackless bure awa.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (14 May):
Dy rakless wyes'll dü suntin ta dee yet.