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 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PEESTER, v., n. Also peestir, pister. [′pistər]

I. v. 1. To utter a faint cheeping sound, to squeak, whimper (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 172, 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1965). Vbl.n. peesterin, a squeaking or whimpering noise; n.comb. peester leetie, pisterliti, (1) a querulous, complaining person, a grumbler, “moaner” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). In 1958 quot. the name of a Trow or gnome; (2) a half-grown boy (Jak.). For second element ? cf. Norw. lyde, sound.Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Tales 252:
Dere wis a peesterin' an' a neesterin', a pleepin' an' a cheepin'.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
I can hardly pister. . . . De mus pisters . . . De fool [bird] pisters.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Peesteran an' laughan'.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 118:
Have you never heard a rabbit speak? I, I, no I, bit A'm herd een peesterin whin Rover wis wirryin him among da kail.(1) Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 48. 8:
Da warst o dem [trows] is Peesterleetie, Terrie Mittens an Trunsher Face.

II. n. A faint high-pitched cry, a cheep, squeak, whimper (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1914).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He never made a pister.