An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

A compact companion for anyone curious about Scotland’s linguistic heritage, this dictionary gathers the same depth of scholarship found in the celebrated early‑19th‑century quarto edition while fitting comfortably onto a single shelf. It presents each Scots word with clear definitions, literary citations, and concise origins, inviting listeners to trace how ordinary speech links back to older tongues.

Special features set this work apart. An asterisk flags words that carry a meaning unique to Scotland, and colour‑coded notes alert readers to entries that appear in the cross‑references but not in the main list. Spelling variations are preserved, reflecting the fluid orthography of the period, and a newly added alphabetical table of contents makes navigation effortless. The author’s expertise as a fellow of several learned societies shines through in the careful selection of sources and the transparent handling of uncertainties.

Beyond a handy reference, the book opens a window onto the cultural life of historic Scotland, revealing how poets, jurists, and everyday speakers shaped a vocabulary that still resonates today.