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.
Quotation dates: 1887-1932
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AUTHOR, Owthir, Owther, n. [In sense 2, ′ʌuθər ne.Sc.]
1. Sc. law: “A person who transmits by disposition inter vivos a feudal right to another is, in the law of Scotland, called the author of the person to whom the right is transmitted” (Green's Encycl. Law Scot. (1909)).
2. An informant, authority (Jam.2 for Abd.) or instigator. Obs. or arch. in St.Eng.Bnff.2 1932:
If it's a lee, I'm nae the owthir o't, for I got the hale story fae Peter himsel'.Abd. 1903 W. Watson Auld Lang Syne 81:
Weel, I'se gie ye my outher, . . . Hilly taul my man the streen.Ags.1 1932:
“He's an awfu' owther” — one who poses as an authority, an oracle and talker.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 31:
He reishelled the main author o' thae tricks.
