Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FORSTA, v. Also -staa, -staw. To comprehend, understand (Ork. c.1838 in Ellis E.E.P. V. 803; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.¹⁰, “now mostly jocular,” Ork.⁵, Abd.²⁷ 1953, “Bch. coast, obsol.”). [fɔr′stɑ:, -stǫ:]Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 29:
Ye forstaws, I mean the men folk.Ork. 1908 Old-Lore Misc. I. viii. 319:
A dialec o' seek dootfil origin an' wi siccan pecuiler wirds 'at na or'nar bothy can forsta.