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 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ILL-HYVER, n. 1. Awkward behaviour (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); 2. bad humour (Ork. 1902 E.D.D.); 3. most commonly in ppl.adj. -hyver(e)d, -h(ä)iver(e)d, -haverd, -hev-, -hivard, also -haverst, -haverli (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), awkward in shape or manner, ungainly (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1958); forbidding, angry, or repulsive in appearance (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw.), having a blotched complexion (Sh. 1957); esp. of animals: of poor or sickly appearance, neglected (Ork. 1902 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); of a piece of work: badly or carelessly done, used of worsted = of poor quality (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); ill-tempered, abusive (Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 152; Cai.³ 1931; Ork. 1958). [-′hɑɪvər(d)]3. Ork.¹ c.1900:
A'm seen the minister when he was gey ill-hivered.Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 129:
Ae time i' 'is maddrum 'e narlins drooned 'er i' da graith tub, da illhivered, dirty ald scoot 'at 'e waas.