willyard

American  

[wil-yerd] / ˈwɪl yərd /

Also willyart

adjective

Scot. and North England.

1. obstinate; willful.

---

Etymology

Origin of willyard

First recorded in 1580–90; (earlier) “wild, awkward, bewildered,” derivative of Scots, dialectal will “gone astray, perplexed” ( Middle English, from Old Norse villr ), perhaps with -ard, though formation is unclear; later influenced by will ² and wayward

Example Sentences

"He's a gude creature," said she, "and a kind—it's a pity he has sae willyard a powny."

From The Heart of Mid-Lothian, Volume 2 by Scott, Walter, Sir