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

UPSTEER, v., n. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. †upstir. Cf. Steer, v.¹

I. v. To stir up, lit. and fig., to rouse. incite, quicken. Ppl.adj., vbl.n. upstirring, exciting, stimulating, (a making) active or vigorous; agent n. upstirrer.Sc. 1709 R. Wodrow Corresp. (1843) l. 47 57:
To give you occasion to signify your thoughts about things for my up-stirring and instruction. . . . The Gospel is more lively and upstirring for sometime after, in the place where a communion hath been.Sc. 1730 T. Boston Memoirs (1899) 353:
The which practice I found useful to my upstirring.Sc. 1751 R. Shirra Remains (1850) 182:
Sacred biography is very upstirring to the godly reader.Sc. a.1832 D. Smith Mem. Rev. J. Brown (1834) 57:
Only as viewed in promises are they sanctifying and upstirring.Abd. 1921 M. Argo Janet's Choice 17:
It disna set you to be bidin' in my hoose and hame, only to be an upstirrer o' strife in't.Bnff. 1924 Swatches o' Hamespun 82:
For a fashion new hid the clerical crew O' leadin the van an' jinkin the styoo Up-steeret by humans.

II. n. A state of confusion, disturbance (Sh. 1973).Sc. 1953 Manson's Almanac 122:
The corn on the rigs was waving wildly and everything in an “upsteer”.Sh. 1959 New Shetlander No. 51. 28:
Der büne him an upsteer i wir neebrid.