Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DORNEEDY, DOOR-, n. Also dor(e)need, dornidy. The smallest and weakest of a brood or litter, particularly applied to pigs (Mry.¹ 1916, dornidy; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 40, doreneed; Bnff.² 1940; Abd.⁸ 1917). Also used of persons, e.g. the smallest and youngest in a class (Mry. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.; Bnff.⁶ c.1920). Cf. Carneed. [dor′nid(i)]Bnff.⁶ c.1920:
Ye can hae the doorneedy for five shillin's.Abd. 1929 Bnffsh. Jnl. (29 Jan.) 2/3:
Dorneed there's neen in a' that flock.