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.
Quotation dates: 1822-1834
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‡KILLYVIE, n. Also kyllyvie. “A state of great alertness or excitement” (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.), a fuss, disturbance, to-do (Ayr. 1960). Also in phr. on the killyvie, on the alert. [kɪlɪ′vi]w.Sc. 1822 Blackwood's Mag. (Sept.) 315:
They were on the killyvie to see the King.Ayr. 1834 Galt Lit. Life III. 112:
The Irville hearse came for the body, and balked me of my fee, for it took him home to his own parish, and made a grand kyllyvie about his clay, just as if it had been a living human commodity.
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"Killyvie n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/killyvie>
