a. and sb. [f. of Calēdonia, Roman name of part of northern Britain in modern times applied poetically or rhetorically to Scotland, or the Scottish Highlands, ‘Caledonia, stern and wild’ (Scott).]
A. adj. Of ancient Caledonia; of Scotland.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Caledonian, belonging to Scotland, formerly called Caledonia.
1785. Warton, Milton’s Silv. Lib., 556, note (T.). Tinged with Caledonian or Pictish woad.
Mod. Used in titles, as ‘the Gentlemen of the Caledonian Hunt,’ ‘the Caledonian Railway.’
B. sb. A native of ancient Caledonia; humorously = Scotchman.
1768. J. Macpherson (title), Critical Dissertations on the Origin of the Ancient Caledonians.
1781. (title) The Unfortunate Caledonian in England.
1813. J. Grant (title), Account of the Picts, Caledonians, and Scots.
1883. Daily News, 4 Sept., 5/6. Those who go ‘through’ with the volatile Caledonian [Flying Scotchman].
