Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1905-1932
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TARTAR, v., n. Also tarter, tartre (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.). [′tɑrtər]
I. v. To move about restlessly and noisily (Cai. 1958); to blunder about; to toss, fidget, wriggle (Cai. 1972). Ppl.adj. tartaran, restless, always on the move (Cai. 1972).Cai. 1928:
They a' cam' tartaran hame.Cai. 1932 John o' Groat Jnl. (18 Nov.):
A met him an' Willie tarterin' in their car fae ae big fairm till anither.
II. n. A disturbance, noise, hubbub (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C., Cai. 1972).Cai. 1905 E.D.D.:
Fat ir ye kickan ip sic a tartre far?
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"Tartar v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tartar>
