Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WHESS, v. To pant, gasp from shortness of breath, breathe loudly and rapidly (Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminisc. 154, Ork. 1974). [ʍɛs]Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 116:
Like tae leep wi' veelant haet That gaird him whess for want o' braith.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 63:
“A'm whessan like onything,” said the aald wife.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie in Neil R. MacCallum Lallans 51 (1998) 9:
Weel, the Horse tried his very best, bit hid wisno a canny load he hid tae cairry, an i a peerie while he wis i a drock o swaet, an pechan an whessan like onything.