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.
Quotation dates: 1768-1795, 1866
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SWAVER, v., n. [′swevər]
I. v. 1. To totter, sway, move unsteadily, walk in a weary stumbling manner (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 187; I. and ne.Sc. 1972).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 26:
She wins to foot, an' swavering makes to gang.w.Sc. 1866 R. W. Buchanan London Poems (1883) 232:
Swavering down the path, he took my arm.
2. To hesitate, be in an uncertain state of purpose, to dither.
II. n. An inclination to one side, a lurch, stagger (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 187; ne.Sc. 1972).Abd. 1795 A. Shirrefs Sale Catalogue 19:
Nor need you on the barter swaver, For sure it must be in your favour.
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"Swaver v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/swaver>
