Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1778, 1850-1881, 1955
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SEG, v.3, n.2 Also segg, saeg. [seg]
I. v., tr. To set (the teeth) on edge, as sour fruit, etc., by its acidity (Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems Gl.; Lth., Lnk., s.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 264). Also in Cum. dial.; intr. of the teeth: to be set on edge, to become uneven or blunted. Ppl.adj. segged, of the teeth: set on edge (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 418), also fig.; vbl.n. segging.e.Lth. 1778 A. Wight Present State Husbandry II. 244:
The straw prevents the teeth [of horses] from segging, or losing edge.Gall. 1881 L. B. Walford Dick Netherby v.:
The very sound of Marion's shrill voice anywhere about affected his temper, or, in his own phrase, "gied him seaged teeth."Ayr. 1955 S. T. Ross Bairnsangs 30:
Aa your teeth are seggit, Aa your gums are cleggit.
¶II. n. Appar. a small amount of liquid, a little drop, a swig, sc. enough to set the teeth on edge.Kcb. c.1850 Vale of Urr Verses MS. I. 168:
There's a seg in her [the bottle] yet.
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"Seg v.3, n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 8 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/seg_v3_n2>
