A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quaver, n.1 Also: quavir, -yr, quawer, quever; and Caver. [OF quevre, cuevre, coivre, also OF quivre, AF quiveir, whence ME (a1300) and e.m.E. quiver, Quiver n. For the phonology, cf. Quaif(f n.] A quiver, a case for arrows or crossbow-bolts. Also fig.Also applied to a bag or case for holding a bow or for golf-clubs. 1504 Treas. Acc. II 449.
For ane quavir full of arrowis 1511–12 Ib. IV 327. 1513 Doug. x iv 17.
With arrow casys and other quavyrris [Ruddim. quauerys] lycht Ib. vii xiii 83, etc. 1539 Treas. Acc. VII 178, etc.
For ane quavir to turs the ganȝeis in 1567 Bamff Chart. 70. 1575 Treas. Acc. XIII 69. a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 748 (Wr.).
Both quaver [W. quiver] wings and bow Ib. 114, 145. 1585 Perth B. Ct. 27 April.
Ane bow ane quaver with the arrowis 1587 Edinb. Test. XVII 162. c1590 Fowler I 73/181.
Quawer 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 251. 1621 Edinb. Test. LI 56b. 1627 Ib. LIV 117. 1664 Ib. LXXI 313b.
Ane arrow quever and ane bow quever, item ane quever for clubesfig. 1611-57 Mure Psalmes cxxvii 25.
Whose quaver fild with such [sons] is … His happines is great
b. Quaver-caice, a woman's vagina. — a1568 Scott iv 47.
Sic treitment is a trane To cleive thair quaver caice
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"Quaver n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 27 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/quaver_n_1>