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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.

TIDY, adj. Also †tydie, -y; tiddy (Rnf. 1826 S.H.S. Miscellany VIII. 153; Cai. 1829 J. Hay Poems 76; Gsw. 1835 Gsw. Journal (17 Oct.) 31), tyddie; tithy. Sc. forms and usages. [′təidi; †′tɪdi]

†1. Timely, seasonable. opportune, propitious. Obs. in Eng.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 220:
King Æol grant a tydie Tirl.

2. Of a cow: in calf, pregnant (wm.Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 189; Cld., Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1953 Traynor), giving milk; transf. also applied to a woman.Dmb. 1708 Session Papers, Petition J. Buchanan (19 Feb. 1765) 22:
Three kine, two whereof tyddie, and one forrow.Sh. 1732–5 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iii. 119:
Bow or cattle teind consisted of 5 marks of butter for every tid [sic] cow.Arg. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIV. 254:
The average value of tidy cows may be about £3 10s.; of dry cows about £2 10s.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
“A tydy bride,” one who goes home to the bridegroom's house in a state of pregnancy.Lnk. 1840 Edb. Ev. Courant (8 Aug.):
The demand for tidy cows, or cows near the calving, was very brisk.Arg. 1878 Trans. Highl. Soc. 23:
The fold at Dunollie consisted of forty tidy cows.

3. Of human beings and animals: having a good figure, slapely, plump, buxom (Sc. 1825 Jam., tithy; Ork. 1972).Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Journal 25:
A tyddie, cauller swack pennyworth.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 121:
A tyddie beast, an glittering like a slae.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
A tydy bairn, a child that is plump and thriving.