Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DABBER, v. and n.1 [′dɑbər]
1. v.
(1) “To confound or stupefy one, by talking so rapidly that one cannot understand what is said” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.2); ppl.adj. dabbered, confused, “stumped.”Kcb.4 c.1900:
A scholar is said to be dabbered when he cannot get the correct answer, e.g. to a sum.
(2) “To jar, to wrangle” (Abd. 1825 Jam.2); ppl.adj. dabberin', “quarrelsome” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 35).
2. n. “Wrangling” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 35).
[Appar. a freq. form of Dab, v.1, n.1, with extended meaning. Cf. Dabble, v.1 and Dabble, v.2]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Dabber v., n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dabber_v_n1>
