Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CATERWOUL, CATERWAIL, v. Sc. variants of Eng. caterwaul, found only as ppl.adj. and pr.p., = whining, crying. Known to Bnff.2, Abd.22, Ags.17 1938. [kɑtər′wʌul, -′wel]Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 304:
Some o' them auld, and grey-headed aneath their mutches, and no a few wi' babies sookin or caterwailin at their breasts.Abd. c.1692 A. Pitcairne Assembly (1722) 26:
Must I give you Money ye Caterwouling, obstreperous Villains?
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"Caterwoul v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/caterwoul>
