a. Sc. [f. cauld cold + -RIFE, q.v.]
1. Having a tendency to cold, chilly. a. Of things: Causing the sensation of cold. b. Of persons: Susceptible to cold.
1768. Ross, Helenore, 142 (Jam.). ’T has been a cauldriffe day.
a. 1774. Fergusson, Poems (1845), 5. Auld Reekie … bield for mony a cauldrife soul.
1837. R. Nicoll, Poems (1842), 108. Through it the blast sae cauldrife does gae.
2. fig. Cold or chilling in feeling or manner.
a. 1774. Fergusson, Poems (1789), II. 75 (Jam.). She tholes … the taunt o’ cauldrife joes.
1825. Ld. Cockburn, Mem., 238. [Church patronage] gave us cauldrife preachers.
Hence Cauldrifeness.
a. 1662. R. Baillie, Lett. (1775), I. 442 (Jam.). We were looked upon for our coldrifeness, with a strange eye.
