Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HEIFER, n., v. [Sc. ′hifər; s.Sc. ′hæfər]

Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A young cow, the precise meaning varying considerably, according to whether the animal has not borne a calf, or has had one or even two calves. Combs. cow heifer, a young cow which has had one calf (m.Lth.¹ 1957); heifer stirk, a young cow to be kept for fattening (Lnk. 1955 Scotsman (20 May)).Arg. 1884 Crofters' Comm. Evid. IV. 3048:
An heifer counts as a cow when it is over three years of age? — Yes, or when it has a calf.Sc. 1950 Abd. Press and Jnl. (23 June):
The Royal Highland Society's description of a heifer is a female that has not had a calf, and once calved becomes a cow . . . in England they did not call a heifer a cow until she had calved a second time. . . . In Canada and the United States a female was still a heifer until five years old.

2. Fig. A big, awkward, clumsy person (ne.Sc., Fif., m.Lth. 1957). Gen. applied to women.

†II. v. Of cattle: see quot.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 432:
All castrated females are marked in the ear; to mark them so, is to heifer them.