Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1800, 1895-1928
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THEWLESS, adj. Without energy or spirit, dull and feeble, insipid (Lth., wm.Sc., Rxb. 1972). More commonly in form Thowless, q.v. [′θjuləs]Per. c.1800 Lady Nairne Songs (Rogers 1905) 213:
My sang's o' nae sic thewless themes.Kcb. 1895 Crockett Moss-Hags l.:
A quiet, thewless, pleasantly conforming man.Abd. 1900 C. Murray Hamewith 85:
Like some puir dwinin' thewless wicht Wi' death in view?Kcb. 1911 Crockett Smugglers xxxiii.:
A tribe of thewless, bloodless, bakers'-bread eaters.ne.Sc. 1928 J. Wilson Hamespun 71:
Whaur maukins thewless hirple like to freeze.
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"Thewless adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/thewless>
