gillie

or gil·ly

[ gil-ee ]

/ ˈgɪl i /

Save This Word!

noun

Scot.

a hunting or fishing guide.
a male attendant or personal servant to a Highland chieftain.

ghillie.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of gillie

First recorded in 1590–1600, gillie is from the Scots Gaelic word gille lad, servant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gillie in a sentence

Not in the case of Isabel Gillies as she recounts in her new memoir, 'A Year and Six Seconds.'
Dumped, and Over It|Carolyn Sun|August 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Gillies is a born-memoirist, both candid and hilarious, and her heartbreak and struggle for love is our gain.
Last-Chance Summer Reads|Carolyn Sun|August 7, 2011|DAILY BEAST
“I just want to do what I love and if fame comes along with that so be it,” Gillies said.
A Tween Star Does Lennon|Jaimie Etkin|April 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST
A hit show and a gorgeous voice—you can admire Elizabeth Gillies, but try not to be, you know, jealous.
A Tween Star Does Lennon|Jaimie Etkin|April 21, 2010|DAILY BEAST

The prolonged and doubtful struggle naturally wearied out the patience of the non-combatants behind Gillies Hill.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
The non-combatants retired behind the hill in the rear, afterwards named from them the Gillies' (that is, Servants') Hill.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
The ballast-tanks were found to be leaking and Gillies had considerable trouble in making them watertight.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
When I was leevin' as an under gairdener wi' a laird i' Argyleshire I was aye aboot the kennels wi' the gillies.
Greyfriars Bobby|Eleanor Atkinson
Gillies brought him in an account for many other repairs on the pavement of the kitchen.
Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume II (of 2)|John Hill Burton

British Dictionary definitions for gillie

gillie

ghillie or gilly

/ (ˈɡɪlɪ) /

noun plural -lies Scot

an attendant or guide for hunting or fishing

(formerly) a Highland chieftain's male attendant or personal servant

Word Origin for gillie

C17: from Scottish Gaelic gille boy, servant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012