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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ILL-HERTIT, adj. Also -heartit, -ed, -hehrtit, -hertid, -hairtit. See Hert.

1. Evil-intentioned, bad at heart, malevolent (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 87; Per., Cld. 1880 Jam.; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.). Gen.(exc. s.)Sc.; greedy, mean, ungenerous (Mry.¹ 1925; Abd. 1958). Hence ill-heartitness (Gregor; Per., Cld. 1880 Jam.); 2. of a corn-rick: hollow in the heart, not packed tightly enough in the centre (Ork., Cai., ne.Sc., Wgt. 1958).1. Ayr. 1786 Burns Twa Dogs 179–80:
For thae frank, rantin, ramblin billies, Fient haet o' them's ill-hearted fellows.n.Sc. 1835 H. Miller Scenes & Leg. xvii.:
It was an ill-hearted cruel thing.Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales 26:
The puir rascal's nae that ill-hearted.Abd. 1891 J. Leatham Ancient Hind 13:
It's nae ill-hairtitness, bit the fear o' loss o' wark, an' wint o' breid that maks men sae selfish an' stupiet.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (21 Aug.):
Arty o' Uphoos repents na his ill-hertidness ta Willa Ridland.Gall. 1898 Crockett Standard Bearer xii.:
A fair-faced, hard-natured, ill-hearted woman.Abd. 1917 D. G. Mitchell Clachan Kirk 78:
They wha neibor them are thochtless an' ill-heartit.