Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡STEVEN, n.³ Also steeven, -in, stivin. [′sti:vɪn]

1. A coal-fish in its third year of growth (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Also attrib. with Piltock (Sh. 1897 J. Jakobsen Dial. Sh. 22).Sh. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 108:
When two years old, they are called bilyia piltocks; when three years old, steven piltocks.Sh. 1934 W. Moffatt Shetland 109:
Piltocks and steevens.

2. A boy, a lad, often as a pet-name addressed to a child.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Come here, my stivin.