释义 |
▪ I. peerie, a. (n.) Sc. (now only Orkney and Shetland).|ˈpirɪ| [Etym. uncertain: see S.N.D.] A. adj. Small, diminutive. Also in special collocations (see quots. and S.N.D.).
1808Jamieson, Peerie, adj., little, small. A peerie foal, a small bannock or cake, Orkn. Shetl. 1868D. Gorrie Summers & Winters in Orkneys 12 An Oyce or inlet, locally termed the ‘Peerie Sea’. 1871R. Cowie Shetland ii. iv. 149 The peerie steamer—as the natives call her, in contradistinction to the larger one trading to the south. 1884Rep. H.M. Comm. Inquiry Crofters Highlands Scotl. 1404 in Parl. Papers (C. 3980) XXXIV, The possession of even four ures of land constitutes the proprietor a small, or, in the vernacular, ‘peerie’ laird. 1891J. J. H. Burgess Rasmie's Büddie 80 An sün her peerie winkie haands O' cockaloories bricht wis fu. 1916G. W. Hoggan in B. Thynne Shetland Sheep-Dog 14 The ‘peerie’ Shetland Collie... These ‘peerie things’ are seldom seen outside—probably for fear of being tramped on. 1921Glasgow Herald 1 Jan. 6/7 The mill stood..right on top of the sluice through which the waters of the bay rushed into the ‘Peerie (little) Sea’. 1922J. Firth Reminisc. Orkney Parish (ed. 2) 75 Sometimes as many as half-a-dozen women were called to the house..to keep away the ‘peerie-folk’—those unearthly visitants who were particularly busy when a new arrival came. 1929E. Linklater White-Maa's Saga 72 The world's nae comin' to an end for a peerie while yet. 1948C. L. B. Hubbard Dogs in Brit. xviii. 205 In its home islands it [sc. the Shetland sheepdog] is known as the Tounie Dog or Peerie Dog. 1956C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 58 Afore he kent whar he was the Peerie Laird wad be pitten tae the horn. 1959I. & P. Opie Lore & Lang. Schoolch. x. 182 There she goes, there she goes, Peerie heels and pointed toes. 1978New Shetlander Summer 22/2 Whaur is du gaun, du peerie boy, Wi dee face laek a smoored fire? Ibid. 28/2 Da Maister sat in a peerie hoose Wi Jordan's water rinnin near. B. as n. A Shetland sheep-dog.
1949K. M. Wells Owl Pen Reader (1969) ii. 211 Shetland Sheep Dogs do possess the seeing eye,..Shetland Sheep Dogs were once called ‘Peeries’ or ‘Fairy Dogs’. 1971F. Hamilton World Encycl. Dogs 96 Shetland Sheepdog, Shetland Collie, Miniature Collie, Shetland, Sheltie, Toonie or Peerie—at some time or other the Sheltie has answered to all these names. ▪ II. peerie var. perry n., peg-top. |