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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SHITHER, v., n.¹ Also shuther. [′ʃɪðər]

I. v. To shiver, shudder (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1970). Hence shitherin'-bite, a piece of bread eaten after bathing to allay shivering (Id.). Cf. Chitterin' Bit.Rxb. 1808 A. Scott Poems 34:
Wow but the thoughts o' siccan dirdum, brither, Is fit to gar ilk hill o' feeling shuther.Fif. 1825 Jam.:
The hungry shitherin' orphan's tale.em.Sc. 1999 James Robertson The Day O Judgement 13:
Aw throu itsel the haill warld grues;
The stanes o its mountains shither an pairt;
Awfu tae hear its doolsome murn
An the rivin o its hert.

II. n. A shudder, shiver.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 54:
There crap owre me an eerie shither.