Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DABBER, v. and n.1 [′dɑbər]
1. v.
(1) “To confound or stupefy one, by talking so rapidly that one cannot understand what is said” (Dmf. 1825 Jam.2); ppl.adj. dabbered, confused, “stumped.”Kcb.4 c.1900:
A scholar is said to be dabbered when he cannot get the correct answer, e.g. to a sum.
(2) “To jar, to wrangle” (Abd. 1825 Jam.2); ppl.adj. dabberin', “quarrelsome” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 35).
2. n. “Wrangling” (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 35).
[Appar. a freq. form of Dab, v.1, n.1, with extended meaning. Cf. Dabble, v.1 and Dabble, v.2]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Dabber v., n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dabber_v_n1>
