Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1726, 1778-1795, 1846, 1898
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GRACIOUS, adj. Sc. usages:
†1. Happy, prosperous; of soil: fertile, productive. Obs. in Eng. since early 17th c.Sc. 1726 Ramsay T.T.Misc. (1876) I. 109:
Sloth never made a gracious end.Kcb. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XI. 6:
The soil is equal to the production of any kind of grain; being though light and thin, exceedingly gracious.Kcb. 1898 Crockett Standard Bearer xxxix.:
His marriage with Mary Gordon was most happy and gracious.
2. Friendly, on good terms (Abd., Wgt. 1955).Sc. 1778 Boswell Johnson (1897) 355:
Robertson [the Scottish historian]: "He [Johnson] and I have always been very gracious."Ayr. 1790 Burns Tam o' Shanter 47–48:
The landlady and Tam grew gracious Wi' secret favours, sweet and precious.Dmb. 1846 W. Cross Disruption ix:
My father and he got very gracious by happening to agree about Church matters.
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"Gracious adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gracious>
