Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
EDDER, ETHER, n.1, v. Also aither, aider. [′ɛdər, ′ɛðər, ′e:ðər, ′edər]
1. n.
(1) A straw rope used in thatching a stack (Bnff.2, Abd.2, Abd.9 1944). Cf. Edderin.Abd.8 1917:
Ether . . . refers to a raip which crosses other raips at right angles taking a kench of each to anchor or keep them in position on the thatch.Abd. 1931 in Abd. Press & Jnl. (15 Jan.):
The shuttle-shaped clew of straw rope was known to us as “ether.”
(2) Comb.: ‡ether-bucks, straw ropes used to wind round the ankles in snowy weather (Abd.8 1917). Cf. Boucht, n.1, v.1
2. v. To rope a stack in order to secure the thatch (Abd. 1825 Jam.2, ether, edder; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 187, aither; Abd.15 1928, aider; Bnff., Abd. 1946).Abd. 1749 Abd. Estate (S.C. 1946) 109:
To 2 men 1/3 of day eddering rucks — 0.2.8.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Back o' Benachie 122:
I canna get men ayven tull edder ma hey rucks nooadays.Abd. 1917 W. Morren Buck and Benachie 12:
His father e'ed wi' pride the rucks, weel ether't een an' a'.
You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Edder n.1, v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 May 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/edder_n1_v>
