ˈsleepery, a. north. and Sc. Now rare.
Forms: 6 slep(e)rie, -ry, sleipry, 6–7 slipp(e)rie, 9 sleep(e)ry, -'ry.
[prob. ad. MLG. sleperich, slaperich, or MDu. slaperich (Du. slaperig), = OHG. slâfarag (MHG. slâf-, slæfric, G. schlafrig).]
† 1. Inducing sleep; soporiferous; characterized by a tendency to sleep. Obs.
| 1513 Douglas æneid v. xiv. 52 This god smat baith his tymplis twane With a full slepry..grane. 1561 Hollybush Hom. Apoth. 4 b, A slouggish or slepery disease. |
2. Of persons: Inclined to sleep; sleepy.
| 1535 Coverdale Isaiah v. 27 There is not one faynt nor feble amonge them, no not a slogish nor slepery parsone. 1556 Lauder Tractate 287 Ȝe sulde nocht chuse vnto that cure..No sleprie hird. a 1598 Rollock 1 Thess. (1606) 127 Of all sorts of men in the world a slipprie pastor, a carelesse man in the ministrie, is the worst. c 1802 Surtees in Scott Minstrelsy I. 186 Sleep'ry Sim of the Lamb-hill,..my wae wakens na you. 1815 Scott Guy M. iii, If you..are not very sleepry. 1894 in Heslop Northumbld. Gloss. |