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 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHAFT, v.² To shake, brandish (the fists, a weapon, etc.) (Ork. 1970). Pa.t. ¶shaft.Ork. 1700 W. R. Mackintosh Curious Incidents (1892) 98:
You did shaft your fist or nive att his face.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. vi. 223:
He waas shaftin 'is nave an' daaran ane tae try an' lay a fing-er api' 'im.Ork. 1929 E. Linklater White Maa's Saga 76:
Peerie John and shaft his naves at him.Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 134:
Shaftan 'er exe at dem.