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: 1813-1838
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SIEVE, n., v. Sc., chiefly nonce, usages. Cf. Sye. [siv]
I. n. In phr. to milk one's cow in a sieve, to act in a futile manner, to labour in vain, "a proverbial phrase" (Sc. 1825 Jam.).Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 135:
He ance thocht o' turnin', tho' sair it might grieve, But that wad been milkin' his cow in a sieve.
II. v. As in Eng. 1. Agent n. siever. one who sifts grain in a mill; 2. Fig. to make full of holes like a sieve, in quot. by sparks of hot metal from an anvil.1. wm.Sc. 1835 Laird of Logan 173:
Robin's associates were three of the "sievers" of Sessantilly, the rival mill to Goodie.2. Sc. 1838 Whistle-Binkie ii. 29:
Tak care o' your breeks that they dinna get sieved.
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"Sieve n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sieve>
