Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NYARB, v., n. Also nearb; n(y)irb (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119); nurb-. [njɑrb]

I. v. To be discontented, fretful, or peevish (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Bnff., Abd. 1964). Ppl.adj. nyarbin, querulous, fretful, peevish, crabbed (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119; Abd. 1900 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (29 Dec.)), nyarbit (ne.Sc. 1964), nurbit (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), id., vbl.n. nyarban, -in, querulousness, peevish quarrelling (Gregor).Abd. 1895 W. Allan Sprays II. 81:
What sense is in nyarbin' an' frettin'?Abd. 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 55:
I' the lum the nyarbit win' Fussles it eerie sang.Abd. 1931 Abd. Press & Jnl. (11 Feb.):
A “nyatterie nyarbit spittin,” a peevish, ill-tempered person.ne.Sc. 1950 W. Kemp Cornkisters 10:
Nearbin' a' day, an' snorin' a' nicht, Her mou' iver open, it ne'er gets a dicht.

II. n. 1. A peevish complaint, a fretful carping mood (Gregor, nyarb, nyirb; Abd. 1964).

2. A cantankerous person (Uls. 1924 Northern Whig (9 Jan.), nyirb; Abd. 1964); any creature of stunted growth (Slk. 1825 Jam.).