▪ I. † fou, n. Sc. Obs.
(fuː)
[? subst. use of fou full a.]
A bushel.
| a 1700 Sir Patrick Spens viii. in Child Ballads iii. (1885) 25/2, I brought half a fou o good red goud Out oer the sea with me. 1786 Burns Auld Mare, Maggie 99 For my last fou, A heapit stimpart, I'll reserve ane Laid by for you. |
▪ II. fou, a. Sc.
(fuː)
Also 6–8 fow, 8 fu'.
[var. of full a., q.v. for other senses, in which this spelling is no longer commonly used.]
Drunk.
| 1535 Lyndesay Satyre 139 Na he is wod drunkin I trow; Se ȝe not that he is wod fow? 1602 Shetland Law Rep. in Scotsman (1886) 29 Jan. 7/1 Magnus Crasmusson for being fow and drunken, etc. 1768 Ross Helenore iii. 113 Awa', she says, fool man, ye're growing fu'. 1785 Burns Death & Dr. Hornbk. 14, I wasna fou, but just had plenty. 1820 Scott Monast. Introd. Epist., He is as fou as a piper by this time. 1858 Porteous Souter Johnny 13 The rogue gied monie a hearty smack When he was fou. |
▪ III. fou
var. of faw, Obs., dial. f. foul.