Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WHEEZE, v.2, n.2 Also †quheze, and in deriv. form wheezie. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. whizz.
I. v. 1. To make a whizzing noise. Vbl.n. wheezan, “the noise of carriage wheels in rapid motion” (Sc. 1825 Jam.).
2. In form wheezie: to burn with a fizzing or hissing noise (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
3. To pilfer (fruit, peas or the like) to pull by stealth (Cld. 1825 Jam., quheze, wheezie).
II. n. 1. A whizzing or hissing sound produced by a flame, a hissing flame (Cld. 1825 Jam.). Also in form wheezie (Ib.).Lnk. 1893 J. Crawford Verses 35:
Langer toosie black hair never theekit a pow, Tho' ance in a wheezie 'twas burnt i' the lowe.
2. A furtive pulling of fruit, etc., fruit-pilfering (Cld. 1825 Jam.).
[It is uncertain whether meaning I. 3., II. 2. belong here but the semantic development is paralleled by mod. Eng. slang whizz, to steal, a pickpocket, imit. of the rapidity of his movements.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Wheeze v.2, n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/wheeze_v2_n2>
