Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡KEELIE, n.¹ Also erron. keerie. The kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (Lth., Rxb. 1825 Jam., esp. “a young one”; Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. II. 25; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 150; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Combs.: 1. keelie-craig, a crag on which the kestrel nests; 2. keelie-hawk, the kestrel (Bwk. 1889 G. Muirhead Birds Bwk. II. 25; Dmf. 1959). [′kili]1. Sc. 1877 J. A. Sidey Alter Ejusdem 1:
Up near the foot o' the keelie-craig.2. Clc. 1850 J. Crawford Doric Lays 45:
Een as gleg as keerie hawk.