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.

FIARTER, Fyarter, n. A term of contempt or abuse for “an undergrown or ill-fed man or beast; an insignificant person” (Cai.¹ 1920; Cai.⁷ 1942); an imp, scamp, “fairy” (Cai. 1825 Jam. s.v. ferter); an untidy person. [′fjɑrtər]Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 72:
“A feel foosum fi-arter” — a silly dirty sloven.