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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.

EASTER, adj., n., v. Also Sh. forms aester (Sh. 1898 E.D.D.); ester (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). [Sh. ′istər, Cai. + ′æstər]

1. adj. Eastern, lying towards the east (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot.; Sh.¹⁰, Cai.⁷, Bnff.², Abd.²⁷, Ags.¹⁹, Knr.¹, Slg.³, Bwk.² 1945). Very common in place-names and in names of farms, etc., esp. in contrast to Waster, q.v.: e.g. Easter Ross; Easter Dod (e.Lth.); Easter Cardno (Abd.), Anstruther Easter (Fife). Cf. similar usage in nw.Dev. dial. with regard to fields. See also Bert, n.², and Birth.Sc. 1745 Caled. Mercury (21 Oct.):
Two suspicious like Fellows were . . . seen peeping over the Easter-wall of the Park.Per. 1753 A. Nicol Rural Muse 114:
And easter shades now usher in the night.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality x.:
He's keeping guard o'er Milnwood in the easter round of the tower.s.Sc. 1873 Murray D.S.C.S. 168:
Easter and Wester, are used in distinguishing hamlets or farms of the same name, as Easter Essenside, Wester Middle, Wester-kirk.Bwk. 1905 R. Gibson Old Bwksh. Town 231:
The first stone Easter Bridge was put up in 1770 at a cost of £275, 6s. 8d.

2. n. The east wind (Bnff.² 1942; Abd.¹⁵ 1880–1949).Hdg. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 269:
In the full sweep of the freezing easter.

3. v. “To shift towards the east, as the wind” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). Known to Bnff.² 1942, Sh.¹⁰, Ags.¹⁸ 1949.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
De wind esters.

Hence fig. to bestir (oneself), cf. East, adv., 2.Ags.¹⁸ 1949:
She widna easter hersel.