Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

COORLY, Kooerly, adj.

1. Cowardly, timid.Ork.(D) 1908 J. T. S. Leask in Old-Lore Misc., Ork., Sh., etc. I. viii. 322:
Jock o' the Geo waas a trowie coorly ting.Ork. 1929 Marw. s.v. kolo:
Kooerly, kooerly — claa me nail, I'm a man, but thoo're a snail.

2. Miserly, stingy.Ib. s.v. kokk:
Kooerly, kooerly — kokk-a-pen, Gae a gift, an' sought again.