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.

†QUAVE, v., adj.

I. v. To go in a zig-zag manner or from side to side “up or down a brae” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).

II. adj. Zig-zag, winding, esp. in place-names.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck i.:
Rin away to the hill, an' see after the eild nowt; ca' them up by the Quave Burn.