Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

UPFESH, v., n. Also upfess (ne.Sc.).

I. v. Only in vbl.n. upfeshin, upbringing, the rearing and training of young people (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 204, upfessan; Fif. 1950; ne.Sc. 1973); and ppl.adj. up-fessen, brought up, reared, trained.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xlvi.:
It's not an easy thing to hae the upfeshin' o' a faimily.Abd. 1898 J. R. Imray Sandy Todd 35:
Nae haen' been fash'd wi' the upfeshin' o' a faimly.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 12:
Their upfeshin at hame's te blame.Abd. 1928 Word-Lore III. 147:
Ca'in' them a' but gweed, weel-up-fessen laddies.Abd. 1998 Sheena Blackhall The Bonsai Grower 66:
Naethin ma hallirackit flatmates wad hae noticed - bit I cudna miss it, nae wi my upfeshin.

II. n. The act of bringing up young persons, nurture, training (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 204, upfess).