Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1721, 1795-1827, 1910
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DRIZZLE, n., v. Sc. usages. Also †drizel.
1. n. †(1) A tiny trickle of water.Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems 280:
Thus Children oft with carefu' Hands, In Summer dam up little Strands, Collect the Drizel to a Pool.
(2) In phr. a dry drizzle, a very fine shower of rain.Uls. 1910 C. C. Russell Ulster 41:
It may be a “mizzle” that is coming on, or mayhap even a “dry drizzle”, which signifies that it is not of sufficient importance to keep you in-doors.
†2. v.
(1) tr. ¶(a) To sprinkle with tiny drops; (b) to let fall in tiny drops; obs. since 17th cent. in Eng.(a) Sc. 1810 Scott L. of Lake iv. v.:
Drizzled by the ceaseless spray, . . . The wizard waits.(b) Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 123:
Down drizzlin' frae his feathers damp His sleepy dew-draps owr their camp.
(2) intr. (a) to trickle, ooze; (b) fig. to walk slowly (Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems, Gl.).(a) Ags. 1795 Session Papers, Arbuthnott v. Scott (11 March) 246:
The water likewise drizzled through any parts of the dike that were open.
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"Drizzle n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/drizzle>
