Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Nedill-,) Needle-head, n. and Needle-headed, a. a. n. A ‘head’ like a needle; a person with such a ‘head’: ‘sharp’ wits, an acute or casuistical mind, or a person possessed of these. b. a. Having sharp wits, shrewd, penetrating. (Only in Jus Populi.) —a. 1669 Jus Populi 21.
Sure he must have some needle head that can sowe these two together Ib. 467.
His needle head shall never be able to poynt this forthb. Ib. 132.
Which was not thought upon till this needle-headed man did invent it Ib. 437.