Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1818-1933
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UNYIRDLY, adj. Also -yerdly; -yirthly, -yearthly. Sc. forms of Eng. unearthly, not belonging to this earth, supernatural, mysterious. Also fig. Also comb. unyirthly-like, id. See Yird and cf. Uneirdlie. Now liter.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck vii.:
There had been an unyerdly raid i' the 'Hope that day.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch x.:
Un-yearthly resurrection-men, or rather let me call them deevils incarnate .Bnff. 1856 J. Collie Poems 72:
I speer'd at them where they had been, Gif aught unyirthly they had seen.Ayr. 1868 J. K. Hunter Artist's Life 38:
Some unyearthly visitor.Wgt. 1880 G. Fraser Lowland Lore 162:
Headless goblins, fairy rings, An' ither sic unyirthly things.Bwk. 1904 Lady J. Scott Songs 12:
Far up soar the wild geese, wi' weird, unyirdly cry.Sc. 1933 W. Souter Seeds in Wind 37:
Wi' a soundless fling o' feet Unyirdly baes breez'd by .
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"Unyirdly adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/unyirdly>
