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.
ASPAR, ASPERR, adv. Apart, aspread, with legs apart. [ə′spɑ:r, ə′spɛr]Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems, To Mr Gay vi.:
For to my friends I stand right true, With Shanks a spar.Ayr. 1786 Burns There was a Lad (Cent. ed.) vi.:
“Guid faith,” quo' scho, “I doubt you, stir, Ye gar the lasses lie aspar.”Rxb. 1824 A. Scott Poems 108:
Up braes, when in a pinch, I bauldly set my feet a-spar, To gain the tither inch.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) I. 148:
I led him into my room, and steekit the door o't, but there he stood wi' his feet asperr and his drawn sword at arm's length ahint his back.
Phrase: Set one's feet aspar.n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
Set one's feet a-spar = to oppose anything.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (1868) 284:
Quo' Jenny, I think, 'oman, ye're in the right, Set your foot ay a spar to the spinning o't.
