Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1752, 1857-1884
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‡GRIEVOUS, adj. Also Sc. forms grievious (Sh. 1955), obs. in Eng. since 17th c., greifious.
1. As in Eng. = pitiful, exciting sorrow (Sc. 1900 E.D.D., grievious), oppressive, serious. Adv. greviously.s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms x. 5:
His wayes ar alwæies greifious; thy juudgemints ar fer aboone owt o' his sicht.Ayr. 1884 A. Glass Adventures 157:
The consummate villain, to gang and imperil a decent man's life that he has greviously wranged already.
2. Offensive, having a bad smell. Found also in 16th c. Eng.Sc. 1752 J. Louthian Process App. 277:
The Sheriff is required to visit and inspect such Room, and to disallow or prohibit the Use of the same, in case it shall appear to be grievous or unhealthy.
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"Grievous adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/grievous>
