A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Stakkerand, Staggering, ppl. adj. Also: stakkarand, stakrand, stakarin, stakren, stag(e)ring. [e.m.E. stakeryng (1558), staggring (1565), staggering (1573), stagring (1575); Stakker v.] Staggering, tottering, unsteady. Also fig. hesitating, uncertain; changeable; unreliable, vacillating.lit. and fig. c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii 363.
So vp he rais into ane stakkerand stait, As he had bene fra wit examinat a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 199 (W).
Oh! quhat ane stakkarand [L. stakarin, Wr. staggering] stait! For vnder cuire I got sic check, That I micht neither muife nor neck 1591-2 Rob Stene 8.
And he, but thame, sall schaik his sait, And be into a stakrand stait 1590 Burel Pilgr. ii 84.
Sick dangers puts strangers, Into an stakren stait(b) a1605 Montg. Misc. P. iii 75.
If that ȝe stand not in a stagring stait, Think ȝe that sho [sc. Fortune] will [etc.] 1668-9 Fraser Lawfulness Separ. 175.
The staggering multitude, uncertain what to do a1670 Scot Staggering State title.
The Staggering State of the Scots Statesmen 1684 Lauder Observes 135.
This … may teach us how lubrick and staggering a thing the favor of court is 1686 Lauder Notices Affairs II 726.
Dr. Sibbald … offers to make a publict recantation but the Bischop … refused it as unseasoneable tho others called it a very seasoneable act … for strenthning stagering Protestants
