Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1894-1931
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ALISS, Alis, interj.2 In ne.Sc. = stop! (esp., stop hurting me); oh! (a cry of pain). [ə′lɪs]Bnff.2 1931:
Aliss is still quite common, mostly as an interjection in response to a sudden stab of pain. Also as in this example: If things dinna impruv a bittie shortly, it'll gar twa three cry aliss.Abd.(D) 1894 G. Greig Mains's Wooin' (1909) 57:
I suppose than I'll jist need to be content wi' my ain auld woman. (Starting as Mrs A. pinches his arm) Aliss!Abd.(D) 1929 J. Alexander Mains and Hilly 79:
It's gey sair, onywye, an' gin aw gie't a vrang junny, it's aweers o' garrin' ma cry, "Alis!"
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"Aliss interj.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/aliss>
