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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.

HOVER, v., n. [′hovər]

Sc. usages:

I. v. To tarry, pause, wait a little (w.Sc. 1825 Jam.), freq. in phr. hover a blink. Gen.Sc. Also found in n.Eng. dial.Sc. 1794 "Tam Thrum" Look before ye Loup II. 20:
Hover a wee.Edb. 1839 W. McDowall Poems 28:
Hover a blink, my Jessie dear, Let a' the lave be gane.wm.Sc. 1854 Laird of Logan 549:
Just hover about a blink, and we'll soon tak' ye out.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (6 Feb.) 321:
So the reader maun just hover a blink till I get some matters explained that should be explained.Per. 1879 P. R. Drummond Bygone Days 200:
“O no!” said Scott, “just hover a wee.”Sh. 1898 Shetland News (24 Sept.):
Come, men, Foo lang ir ye gaun ta hover?Ayr. 1901 G. Douglas Green Shutters xxii.:
Hover a blink till I light my cigar.Abd. 1920 C. Murray Country Places 3:
He hovered to herrie a foggie bees' byke.Lnk. 1928 W. C. Fraser Yelpin' Stane 73:
Just hover a blink, the water will sune fa'.

‡II. n. A state of suspense, hesitation, uncertainty. Gen. in phr. in (a) hover, in doubt or suspense, “in a dither” (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis s.v. houir; Sh. 1957), occas. used of the weather when uncertain (Sc. 1825 Jam.).Sc. 1727 E. Erskine Works (1871) I. 295:
They are in a hover and suspense.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 75:
Her heart for Lindy, now began to beal, An' was in hover great, to think him leal.Sc. 1793 Tam Thrum Look before ye Loup 3:
I've been lang in a hover whether I should dedicate my hamely cracks to the People, or to the Friends of the People.