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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Kaber, n. Also: kabor, -yr; kaiber; keaber, -ear, -or; keb(b)ar, keber; kabber. [Var. of Caber n. (gael. cabar).] A pole or spar. a. As used for rafters or as part of the roofing-timber of a building. b. transf. A rafter.a. (a) 1548 Stirling Merch. Guild 52.
The remanent of the said tenement standand sufficiently … in kaboris, wattillis and stray 1633 M. Works Acc. XXVI. 16 b.
Thrie dussone of aikin kaberis iiij li.(b) 1608 Hilderstoun Silver Mines I. 17 b.
Wicker sparis to be kaibers to the new bigit housis 1676 Rothesay B. Rec. 343.
Ane sufficient coupill, ribbs, roof kaibers(c) 1572 Inverness Rec. I. 218.
All keynd of tymmer, sic as ralis, cuppill treis, keaberris, steaikis [etc.] 1597 Brechin Test. I. 157 b.
The treis of the hous price xxx s.; item the keabearis x s. 1630 Bamff Chart. 224.
Ten pans with fiftie tuo keabers, with ane coupell [etc.] 1643 Tulliallan Coal Wks. 9.
For sex dussone of keaberis to the coalȝar housis 4, 16, 00(d) 1597 Edinb. Test. XXX. 57 b.
lx singill ruiff spar, … xxiiij double ruff spar, … xxiiij laid of kebaris price of the laid xvj s. 1666 Alford Rec. 98.
Ane stable consisting of one cuple, eight pannes and fourtie kebbars 1675 Stirling Common Good 95.
For 71 dussone of kebers is … 22, 01, 00(e) 1683 Ellon Presb. 226.
Ane hall: tuo couples, roffes, pans and kabbersb. 1594–5 Ayr Common Good.
Twa gistis and twa sparris to be ane kippill abone the miln, … xiij caipollis to be keaberis & startis 1664 Glasgow Merchants House 120.
Althoe the said brew hous and stabell become altogither rowinous in thack & kaber

c. In other uses. 1670 Glasgow B. Rec. III. 137.
James Andersoune, baillie of Provand, to have ane warrand … for four pundis starling deburst … for kebers for supplie of the cast [= excavation] at the loch ther 1723 Ib. IV. 171.
For kaibors, spakes, dalls and plank to Peit Boag; … for double planks [etc.] … and kaibers, for the use … of the new key; … for kabers to the head of the New Green and stabing