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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NIGGAR, n. Also nigger, neeger (Rxb. 1954 Hawick News (18 June) 7), ni(e)gre (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Lnk. 1827 J. Watt Poems 72). nager (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.), na(y)gur (Uls. 1953 Traynor), niggart (Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 282; Ags. 1964), niggered, neagered. Sc. forms and usage of Eng. niggard (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Ags., Kcb., Uls. 1964). For loss of final -d, cf. P.L.D. § 64. Also used adj. = niggardly, and adv., in a stinted manner, penuriously (Ork. 1964). [′nɪgər, ′ni-]Peb. 1805 J. Nicol Poems I. 35:
That niggart carline never thrives Wha hains her bread an' cheese.Rxb. 1811 A. Scott Poems 122:
What stored the auld niggar's hive.Ayr. 1823 Galt Gathering of West (1939) 41:
I'll never believe but ye're a real hard nigger after this.Ags. 1853 Brechin Advertiser (15 March) 4:
O sirs, but this warld's a warld o' care! Whilk gars mony a good chiel gang nigger'd an' bare.Lnk. 1867 J. M. Peacock Reverie 101:
They baith were sae neagred, that naebody cared How soon they micht gang to the auld kirkyard.

Hence nagerliness, niggardliness, stinginess (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.); ¶niggerality, id., formed on the analogy of liberality.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lxxxiii.:
If they're guilty o' sic niggerality, I'll mak out a count.

2. A brick of metal or fireclay, used to reduce the size of a fire in a grate for economy, or to keep the fire from the oven (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1958). Also in Eng. dial.