Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1825-1866
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SPLAY, n.1, v.1 Also splae.
I. n. †1. A squabble, quarrel.Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
There was a great splay at the fair.
‡2. A stroke, slap (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1971).Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
She hat him a splae o'er the fingers.
3. Comb. splay-up, (1) a quarrel (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 177); (2) a great display, ostentatious show, a "to-do."(2) Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 177:
We wir at a grand splay-up o' a dainner.
II. v. 1. To flay, skin.Slk. 1825 Jam.:
He has splayed the skin off his leg.
2. With on: to work vigorously (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Lth., Rxb. 1971).
[Extended usages of Eng. splay, to spread out, expand, aphetic form of display.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Splay n.1, v.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/splay_n1_v1>
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