Definition of Sawney

1. Proper noun. A diminutive of the male given name Alexander, of Scots origin. ¹

2. Noun. (archaic derogatory) A Scotsman. ¹

3. Noun. a fool, an idiot ¹

4. Adjective. foolish, stupid ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sawney

1. a foolish person [n -NEYS]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sawney

sawhorse
sawhorses
sawing
sawing machine
sawings
sawlike
sawlog
sawlogs
sawm
sawmill
sawmills
sawn
sawn-off
sawn-off shotgun
sawn off
sawney
sawneys
sawpit
sawpits
saws
sawset
sawsets
sawshark
sawsharks
sawteeth
sawtimber
sawtimbers
sawtooth
sawtoothed
sawtoothlike

Literary usage of Sawney

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Scottish Notes and Queries edited by John Bulloch (1907)
"The story of Sawney Beane is a clumsy Cockney invention, ... "Sawney Beane" is immediately raised to the dignity of a classic, and our nation execrated ..."

2. Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song by Robert Hartley Cromek, Allan Cunningham, William Gillespie (1880)
"A truly ludicrous and witty vein of wedded strife enlivens many fragments of Scottish song : Souter Sawney had a wife, Souter Sawney had a wife, ..."

3. Lives and Exploits of the Most Noted Highwaymen, Robbers and Murderers, of by Charles Whitehead (1854)
"Sawney BEANE. THE following narrative presents such a picture of human ... Sawney Beane was born in the county of East Lothian, about eight miles east of ..."

4. Celebrated Trials of All Countries: And Remarkable Cases of Criminal by John Jay Smith (1836)
"Sawney CUNNINGHAM, EXECUTED AT LEITH, 12TH OF APRIL, 1635. THIS person had no reason to say that a good education or tuition was denied him, ..."

5. Northern Garlands: A Collection of Songs by Joseph Ritson (1887)
"Sawney Ogilby's Duel ... Poor Sawney, as canny a North British hallion, As e'er crost the border this million ..."

6. Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms by Frederic Sturges Allen (1920)
"Scotchman, Scot, Sawney (colloq. and derisive). scour, vt 1. rub (contextual); spec, holystone, scrape, fettle; see POLISH. 2. See REMOVE, CLEAR, WASH, ..."

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