Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1908-1954
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POS, n. Also pus. Dim. forms possic(k), posic. [pos, pus]
1. A boil, swelling (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Dim. possic, “a gathering of pus” (Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 270; I.Sc. 1966).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De beilin was a' in a saft pus.
2. In dim.: (1) a poultice.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 149:
Shuu lade on a possick o' brunt floor it nearly kolcoomed me.Sh. 1954 New Shetlander No. 40. 15:
Shu clatches on da idder posic an dis time altho I felt da hoose mirrin aroond me I didna dwall aff.
(2) a quantity, sc. of some messy substance (Sh. 1962); fig. a farrago of nonsense, a rigmarole.Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 7:
Whin I got yon possic aff me kist, I scoitit at da trow.
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"Pos n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pos>
