Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ATFARES, n.pl. Behaviour. (See also Atferd, Attifer.) [′at-fe^ərz (Marw.)]Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 49:
Hid wus sae winderfu' tae see the atfares o' the mither selkie. [Atfares — behaviour. Glossary.]Ork.(D) 1915 J. T. S. Leask in Old-Lore .Misc., Ork. Shet., etc. VIII. i. 43:
Illdeuars cinna get ap wi' atfares like dat noo.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Atfares . . . ongoings, capers, behaviour. E.g. “What atfares is he efter noo?” “Queer atfares.”