Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1790-1829, 1990-2002
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BELTER, n., v. Also †balter.
I. n. 1. A battering.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail liii.:
I'll stand ahint a dike, and gie them a belter wi' stanes, till I hae na left the souls in their bodies, if ye approve o't.
2. A jolt, a sudden start, jerk or spurt.Cai. 1829 J. Hay Poems 104:
Pale Death gat up wi' sic a balter Behint his back.
3. A native or inhabitant of Tranent; a member of a Tranent football or rugby team.Sc. 2002 Edinburgh Evening News 13 Apr 20:
Urwin eased the jitters for the Belters [Ross High rugby team] when he capped a fine performance with a try in 74 minutes.Sc. 2002 Edinburgh Evening News 21 Oct 8:
Brian Murray drove a fierce effort across the face of the Tranent goal and Karami turned the ball past Connon. The Belters [Tranent Juniors - football] were in danger of suffering a humiliating defeat at this stage ... Edb. 1990:
A pub in Tranent still called "The Belters".m.Lth. 1991:
Ye mind on Big Chic Gordon, he mairried a Belter efter the war.
II. v. To pelt, batter.Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems 120:
Wi' taties I baltert her dead.
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"Belter n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/belter>
