Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TITTER, v.¹, n. [′tɪtər]

I. v. To shiver, tremble (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); I.Sc. 1972); of the teeth: to chatter with cold, fear, etc. (Ork. 1929 Marw.).Ork. 1929 Old-Lore Misc. IX. ii. 78:
He waas piverin' a' ower, 'is teeth waar titteran.

¶II. n. A state of restless uncertainty, a dither.Rxb. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws xxiv.:
An unco titter ye'd hae been in the morn an he hadna come.