Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1711-1721, 1817-1953
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STRIVE, v., n. Also ¶straeive (s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms xviii. 43); erron. scrive. Sc. forms and usages:
I. v. A. Forms. Pa.t. strong strave (Sc. 1725 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) II. 203; Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 26; Kcb. 1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun 72; Sc. 1818 S. Ferrier Marriage xxxi.; s.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S. 208; Gsw. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lykewake 171; Ags. 1897 Bards Ags. (Reid) 497; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 14; Sh., Rxb. 1971) [strev]; ¶stroove (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 17), ¶struve (Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 13), conventionalised representations of ne.Sc. form streev(e) (Abd. 1861 J. Davidson Poems 120; ne.Sc. 1971) [striv]; weak strived (Peb. 1817 R. D. C. Brown Comic Poems 18); pa.p. striven.
B. Usages: 1. With wi or absol.: to quarrel, wrangle, fall out, dispute (Sc. 1881 A. Mackie Scotticisms 51; Sh., n.Sc. 1971); to take a dislike (to) or distaste (for). Rare and obs. in Eng. Ppl.adj. striven, having quarrelled, at loggerheads, in a state of enmity, out of friendship (Abd. 1825 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1971).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 388:
You strive about uncoft gait.Abd. 1817 J. Christie Instructions 76:
Jock said are ye wi' Bess aye thrang, Or are ye striven, and chang'd your sang?Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 64:
I dinna think we ever streeve bat ance.Ayr. 1833 Galt Howdie, etc. (1923) 192:
I am no now in a condition to strive.Abd. 1850 Bards Bon-Accord (Walker 1887) 621:
Dorty miss to strive wi' her meat.Ags. 1871 J. Macpherson D. Matheson 161:
They strove and parted.Abd. 1887 Bon-Accord (30 April) 15:
Surely Mrs Birse an' her guidman's strivin'.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 195:
They streeve on the road, an' hid a gweed fecht.Bnff. 1953 Banffshire Jnl. (17 Nov.):
But me an' the boss streeve wi' ither.
2. To struggle physically, to wrestle, jostle. Obs. in Eng.Slg. 1711 G. I. Murray Records Falkirk Parish (1888) II. 83:
Striving together about a chair in the church.Abd. 1824 J. Maidment Garland 3:
The steeds they strave into their stables.
3. To scatter coins or sweets at a wedding for children to scramble for (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf., Rxb. 1971). Strive out!, the call for the scatter to be made (Rxb. 1970). Cf. II. 2.
II. n. 1. A struggle, a vehement effort, a contention.Rnf. 1828 Paisley Mag. 561:
It was just a strive between us wha would like the ither best.Ayr. 1836 Galt in Tait's Mag. (June) 391:
He was egged on to be a doctor; but when, however, he was in the middle of the strive, his father died.
2. A scattering of coins, etc., esp. at a wedding, for children to scramble for (Dmb. 1921 Border Mag. (Jan.) 14, scrive; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Inv., s.Sc. 1971). Also strive out (Rxb. 1971). Cf. I. 3.Rxb. 1931 Border Mag. (March) 41:
On closing school for the summer holidays a “scatter” or “strive” of “papes” was made.
