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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TREAD, v., n. Also treid (Ags. 1923 V. Jacob Songs 24; Ayr. 1923 Wilson Dial. Burns 191). Sc. forms and usages. [trɛd, Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., Ayr., Kcb., s.Sc. + trid]

I. v. A. Forms. Pa.t. †trad (Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 164), trade (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 12), tread (Abd. 1828 P. Buchan Ballads I. 161; Ayr. 1923 Wilson Dial. Burns 191; Abd., Ags., Ayr. 1973) [tred, trɛd]; treadit (s.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S. 208; ne.Sc. 1973) [′trɛdɪt, ′trid-]. Pa.p. tredden (s.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S. 208; Ayr. 1973); treadit (ne.Sc., Ags. 1973).

B. Usages. As in Eng. Agent n. treader, (1) a male bird, esp. the domestic cock (Sc. 1887 Jam.); (2) a flounder-fisherman who makes his catch by treading on the sand under the surf and causing the flounders to rise. See Fleuk 2. (7), and Tramp, v., 2. (3). Also in n.Eng. dial.(2) Dmf. 1899 Border Mag. (Oct.) 200:
The bold “treader” goes off to some spot where he expects to find the flounders in plenty.

II. n. 1. A felloe of a wooden wheel (Slg., Arg., Lnk. 1973). In Eng. used of the whole outer rim.Gsw. 1860 J. Young Poorhouse Lays 133:
There's no a soun' spoke in yer wheels, the trades are a' agley.

2. The central passage or gangway in a cowshed (Per.⁴ 1973).