Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Canny, Cannie, a. [Of obscure. origin. Current also in northern English dialects as canny or conny.]

1. Free from risk, safe. 1592 Calderwood V. 204.
Much better is it to have abiddin a cannie mercat, nor to have hazarded an old gloyd [etc.]

2. Sagacious, cautious, prudent. 1596 Dalr. I. 108/23.
[He] quha appeiris to be enduet with the best jugement, and to haue the counsel maist cunning, cumlie, and cannie 1607 Lett. & St. P. Jas. VI. 109.
By God blissing his vyse and canny forme of doing … I neuer sawe ane more … ordourlye assemblye 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1675) 32.
I trust in God, to use the world, as a canny or cunning master doeth a knave-servant Ib. 279.
Mens canny wisdom, who in this storm take the nearest shore 1657 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 364.
That with mwtch painis and travell, cannie and wyse dealing, they had now gottin the schyre sched from the toune in the mater relaiting to the excize 1683 Fraser P. 263.
Taking your own canie wayes in tryeing quhat he will taike

3. Lucky; pleasant. 1688 Reg. Privy C. 3 Ser. XIII. 247.
You said they had not prayed soe much till they sau your cannie face