Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
A-LIFTIN, pred. adj. (See quots.)Sh.(D) 1877 G. Stewart Sh. Fireside Tales (1892) 17:
Dy kye fell a-liftin' fir want o' meat. [A-liftin': unable to rise from weakness, requiring to be assisted (A.).]Cai.(D) 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 63:
Aliftin, adj. Unable to rise. Animals “gang aliftin” when so weak as to be unable to rise.Bnff.2 1931:
A-liftin is known in Bnff. in the sense of weak and emaciated — e.g. “Ye'll need t' try the fite coo wi' a suppy gruel or something; she's jist gaun a-liftin.”
