Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
WILE, adj. Also wyle. Sc. form of Eng. vile. Used jocularly in 1754 quot., but in others implying wickedness, malevolence, supernatural evil (Abd. 1825 Jam.). See also Vild, P.L.D. § 137.1., and W, letter, 5.Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Journal 24:
The wile limmer was sae dozen'd an' funi'd wi' cauld.Sc. 1783 Lass of Roch Royal in Child Ballads No. 76 D. xi.:
You've na come here for gude; You're but a witch or wile warlock.Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick II. x.:
Let go my arm this meenit, ye wyle wurf-like wuddiefu' o sin.Abd. 1925 Greig and Keith Last Leaves 268:
Gin ye marry that wile woman, My malisons drown ye in Gamrie.
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"Wile adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 4 Oct 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/wile_adj>