Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HALVE, v. Also hauve (Sc. 1825 Jam.). To divide into two parts (see also Half, v.):

1. Specif. in golf: to play a hole, round, or match in the same number of strokes as one's opponent. Now St. Eng.Fif. 1807 J. Grierson St Andrews 236:
If the ball be struck into the hole at the like, or an equal number of strokes on both sides, the hole is said to be halved, and goes for nothing.Edb. 1842 Edb. Ev. Courant (6 Oct.):
The first hole was halved, and Mr Bishop winning the second, of course won the medal.Sc. 1857 Chambers' Inform. II. 693:
Every round has been halved, hence the match itself is halved, and remains to be played another day.

2. To share. Cf. Halver, v. Edb. 1875 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie 12:
They wha, when ilk ither door wis steekit, made me aye welcome to halve their bed an their bicker.

3. Comb.: back-halve, of sheep: to mark the ear by cutting out a semicircular piece from the back or under side.Lth. 1827 Justiciary Reports (1829) 225:
The ten sheep were still there, and they had been recently clipped and ear-marked — back-halved.