Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

†LAIBER, v., n. Also leb(b)er; labber; ¶laiver.

I. v. 1. To slobber, to make a noise with the lips in swallowing (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 99; Cai. 1902 E.D.D.).

2. To let food fall from the lips in eating or drinking (Gregor); hence tr. to beslobber, to soil (oneself or one's clothes) with food dropped from the lips (Lth. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., labber, lebber).Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
Thai bairns hes leber't a' the table.Dmf. 1873 A. Anderson Song of Labour 60:
Scalin' a' the sowp, an' lebbrin' baith himsel' an' me.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
The bairn laiber't hir jupie or daidle.

Hence †lebber-beards, ¶laiver-, broth made with greens and thickened with oatmeal, soup made without meat-stock (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).

II. n. 1. The act of slobbering in swallowing, or the noise thus caused (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 99).

2. In pl.: droppings from the mouth in taking spoon-food, slobbers (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).