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: 1918-1958
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SHAAV, v., n. [ʃɑ:v]
I. v. To cut or hack in an inexpert or bungling manner, chop, hash (Sh. 1970).Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. 171:
The Chairman, who . . . had managed to “shaav” away about a fourth of the turf.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 9:
It is provoking to see a hard won rig o neeps, or yard o kail, shaaved in bruck afore your very een.
II. n. A bungling or botched way of cutting or digging, a hash.Sh. 1918 T. Manson Peat Comm. 157:
Da paets ye'll cast, an da shaav an hock ye'll mak.
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"Shaav v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/shaav>
