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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Uver, -ir, adj. Also: uvyr, uffir, uer, wver, -ir, -yr. [ME ufer(r)e (both Layamon), OE ufer(r)a; var. of Over adj. Also in the later Sc. and north. Eng. dials.]

1. Higher, upper: a. Without article, in place-names. Also ellipt. = Over adj. 1 a. b. With article, of streets or topographical features. = Over adj. 1 b. c. Applied to a Border clan: ? Inhabiting higher ground. Cf. Over adj. 1 d and Gang n. 4.a. (1) 1372 Reg. Great S. 151/1.
In baronia de Uvyrcrelyne 1424 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 381.
Neither Bulgny, Wvir Bulgny, Midlmas Bulgny 1455 Exch. R. VI 107.
De relevio terrarum de Uvirrankelo 1457 Exch. R. VI 344.
Terrarum de Uver, Middil, et Nethir Lochdougan 1457 Exch. R. VI 345.
Uvirard, … Middilard, … Nethirarde 1596 Dalr. I 14/15.
In vuir Clydisdale and in nethir Clidisdaleellipt. 1498 Acta Conc. II 279.
His tak … of Awmernes Uver and Nethir 1557 Prot. Bk. Sir A. Gaw 44.
His tak of Abirargeis uvir and neder 1578 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 120.
The Paradyce Yairdis vuer and neather 1599 Retours II Inq. Spec. Argyle (105).
Uffir(2) c1420 Wynt. i 1192 (W) (see Wynt. I 1204 in Over adj. 1 a (2)).
Vuer Germanyb. 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 118.
The wrangus … occupying of ane … tenement liand within the burgh of Abirdene in the Uver Kirkgaite 1509 Rec. Earld. Orkney 82.
The dyk-steith that strekis fre the wvyr-dame of Saba to the mark-stane 1528 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 289.
At the uvir pethis of Colbrandspeth 1530 Misc. Maitl. C. II 110.
Duelland in ane hous at the Vuir Bowc. 1518 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 124.
Plegis … for the Ellottis of the uvyr gang of Gorrumbery

2. Of things generally: Built, placed, stationed (etc.) at a higher level; the upper (one, etc.) of two or more. = Over adj. 2. 1465 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i 550 (18 Aug.).
The vuer & the nethir mylnys callit the Justice mylnys of the saide burgh 1511 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 247.
Unacum dimidio cymbe le Wuyr Ferry Bayt vocate super aquam de Dee 1511 Prot. Bk. J. Foular I 139.
To naile ane lang billet on the nether side of the said uvir corbell for the clething of his awne stair 1544 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 250.
Le Nethir Fery Boitt … , le Vuer Fery Boit 1544 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 250.
Cum dimedia … superioris brasine le Vueraillhous wlgariter nuncupate 1555 Edinb. Old Acc. I 158.
xij faddome of cords to haill up the uuer [pr. uner] barcatts 1560–1 Edinb. Old Acc. II 138.
For carying of certane tymmer fre the uer tron to the kirk 1581–2 Perth B. Ct. MS 13 Feb.
All and haill that vuer … vest boyth in the foirland

3. Forming the higher or topmost part or syd (of a place or thing). = Over adj. 4 a. 1488–9 Acta Aud. 127/2.
Landis … liand in the vuer parte of ester Cocherane within the barony of Renfrew 1511 Reg. Privy S. I 342/2.
Super terris de le Uver part de Lany cum pertinentiis 1542 Soc. Ant. III 161.
The remanent of the said queir tobe … in heicht fra the sollis of the said queir duris to the vuer pairt of the walter tabill … xxxij futtis 1558 M. Works Acc. (ed.) I 295.
vii futtis of ald stuf and put up in the uversyd of the foir work

4. a. That is situated on a higher level or floor of a building; upstairs. b. Denoting the upper portion or floor of a building. = Over adj. 5. 1513 Treas. Acc. IV 523.
To red the uvir lardner 1534 Glasgow Prot. IV 71.
Ane foyr [tenement] and ane back wver howse 1550 Glasgow Prot. I 18.
The foir uvyr hows, viz., hall, chalmer and wairdrop, with the peis waist 1573–4 E. Loth. Antiq. Soc. VII 71.
For collis and candill to the burd in the wver tolbuith

5. (To have) the vuir hand, to prevail, obtain mastery. = Upper adj. 4. 1562-3 Winȝet I 50 marg.
That the wicket hes the vuir hand, it is the scurge of God