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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FECKLESS, adj. Also feckliss (Sh.), fechless, †faichless (Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 41), †fectless (Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 203), †feeklish (Sc. 1707 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) I. 112). Ineffective, weak, paltry; without strength, energy of body or mind, spiritless; incompetent, footling. Gen.Sc. Now also common in Eng.Abd. 1723 W. Meston Poet. Wks. (1802) 11:
For all the dints of this blade are but Feckless, since blunted by Lord Tarbat.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Poems (1925) 75:
Close by his side, a feckless race O' macaronies shew their face.Ayr. 1784 Burns Poet's Welcome ii.:
An auld wife's tongue's a feckless matter To gie ane fash.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxv.:
We are peer feckless bodies — here the day, and awa' by cock-screech the morn.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 199:
He's but a saft feckless-like chiel; I think ye needna be sae feared for him.Ork. 1854 D. Vedder Poems 247:
I'm auld and frail and feckless noo.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 68:
I kno no, Boy, bit heth I tink Dy pot hings bi a feckliss link.Kcb. 1894 Crockett Raiders xxi.:
Ye canna even licht that fire. Ye are but a feckless lown.Fif. 1905 “S. Tytler” Daughter of the Manse II. ii.:
As for the girls, I own Nellie is a bittie soft and feckless.m.Sc. 1927 J. Buchan Witch Wood viii.:
It's no the feckless camsteery lad ye maun seek that likes a randan.Dundee 1991 Ellie McDonald The Gangan Fuit 33:
'Ye theivan wee pyat, its tane or its tither,
deil kens yer wame maun be whummlan aroun'
But naa, tho I'm lossan the rag aathegither,
yon dour feckless tyke is biddan abuin.

Hence fecklessness, feebleness, worthlessness. Gen.Sc.Bnff. 1887 W. M. Philip Covedale xi.:
I found out the reason of my fecklessness.Ags. 1924 A. Gray Any Man's Life 50:
For the bairn that was born that nicht i' the sta' Cam doon frae Heaven to tak awa Oor fecklessness.