Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

TOLTER, v., n., adj. Also toolter (Ork. 1929 Marw.); tulter. [′tɔltər]

I. v. To totter, hobble, move unsteadily (Ork. 1929 Marw.); to be unstable (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.; Ork., Cai. 1972). Also in Eng. dial.

II. n. 1. An insecure erection (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.; Ork., Cai. 1972). Hence toltery, adj., insecure, unstable, ready to fall (Id.).

2. A wobble, tumble, collapse.Cai. 1934 John o' Groat Jnl. (19 Jan.):
If Princie gi'es a side loup ye'll fa' aff in a tulter.

III. adj. Unstable, off the perpendicular, ready to fall (Ork. 1972). Also adv.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 119:
Trumblan' like twa toolter stoops Jeust i' the wey o' fa'an'.