Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1714-1721, 1827-1861
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†DIFFICULT, v. To put in a difficulty, perplex, puzzle, embarrass. Gen. used in pass. Also found in U.S.Sc. 1714 T. Halyburton Natural Religion 45:
That none may think we are without Reason in our Denial, and that we put them upon the Proof only to difficult them.Sc. 1721 Rec. Conv. Burghs (1885) 290:
And even be difficulted to pay their usual proportion of the tax roll.Sc. 1827 Edb. Wkly. Jnl. (28 Feb.) 68:
I am somewhat difficulted, from the extreme delicacy which attends a brother's expatiating upon a sister's claims to honours publicly paid.Sc. 1861 W. E. Aytoun N. Sinclair I. x.:
The poor lads might be difficulted to find meal for their porridge.
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"Difficult v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/difficult>
