Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1704-1819, 1873-1949
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MISCHIEVE, v. Also mischeve; misheave; mashiev (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). [mɪs′tʃi:v, Sh. mɪ′ʃi:v]
1. tr. To injure, damage, do harm to, to treat cruelly (ne.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Sh., ne.Sc., Ags. 1963). Vbl.n. mischievin, -an, (the act of inflicting) a severe injury (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 114), a severe beating (Jam.). Obs. or dial. in Eng.Sc. 1704 J. Clark Picture Present Generation 14:
There be others who gave way to their Revengeful Humors, to mischieve and vex the Promotors of so Glorious an Enterprise.Abd. 1748 R. Forbes Ajax 11:
His poor glyde was sae mischiev'd, He'd neither ca' nor drive.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) I. 144:
Many of them were so mischiev'd, It shocked nature to perceiv't.Sc. 1819 Scott Bride of Lamm. xxxiv.:
Are ye casting yer cantrips in the very kirkyard, to mischieve the bride and bridegroom?Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 106:
"Is she mischieved?" "Nothing the worse."Ags. 1893 F. Mackenzie Cruisie Sk. v.:
Willie's thochtless, an' I wadna hae ony o' my kye mischieved.Sh. 1898 Shetland News (21 May):
I kent he wid mischieve himsel'. He's that ram-stam whin he gengs ta dü onything.Kcd. 1932 L. G. Gibbon Sunset Song (1937) 37:
Soon as they saw it was only young Gordon that was being mischieved they did no more than laugh.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 15:
Hit wis a mercy he wisna misheaved himsel.
†2. To abuse, revile. Rare and obs. in Eng.Abd. 1746 W. Forbes Dominie Deposed (1765) 43:
And very loud they me mischiev'd With their ill tongues.
3. To spoil, to retard.Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems II. 86:
His haste mischiev't his speed.
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"Mischieve v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/mischieve>
