Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ASTEER, adv., pred. adj. In movement, up and about, out of bed, active, in commotion, astray, a-stirring. Gen.Sc. [ə′sti:r]Ags. 1889 R. C. Buist in Mod. Sc. Poets ed. Edwards XII. 350:
The laddie was feared, and his thochts gaed asteer.Ags. 1921 V. Jacob Bonnie Joann 4:
And noo the toon is fair asteer, The weans rin doon the street.Fif. 1896 “G. Setoun” R. Urquhart iv.:
I saw ye'd been early asteer yersel' this mornin'.Bwk. 1863 A. Steel Poems 111:
O'erpower'd wi' reverential fear I guessed some goddess was asteer, And felt undone.Ayr. 1785 Burns Halloween xx.:
What was it but grumphie Asteer that night?Kcb. 1885 A. J. Armstrong Friend and Foe 38:
An I ken a wee rosy-cheekit-damsel wha's never far awa' whan there's a guid bicker o' brose asteer.Dmf. 1817 W. Cæsar Poems 10:
And Malice wasna seen asteer For the lang space o' fourteen year.
