Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1796-1814, 1868
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†WISTER, v., n. Also wyster. Cf. Woster.
I. v. To scuffle, engage in a quarrel or brawl (Per. 1808 Jam.).Gall. 1796 J. Lauderdale Poems 25:
Ye dang fowk about and dadit Them here and there; some like to wister.
II. v. A brawl, scuffle; a struggle (Ib.).Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 234:
The warl's a wearifu' wister.Ayr. 1868 J. K. Hunter Artist's Life 93:
Johnny, that was a wister for't. I never have been beat, and never will.
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"Wister v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/wister>
