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.
Quotation dates: 1924-1932
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AVE, AIVE, n.2 [e:v]
1. On the point of (lit. on the eve of).Bnff.2 1932:
I wis in the ave o' pittin on ma bonnet, fin a chap [knock] cam' t' the door.Abd.(D) 1924 J. Wight in Swatches o' Hamespun 66:
Aw wis jist o' the aive o' ristin the fire fin Aw h'ard yir fit.Abd.9 1932:
I was on the ave o' startin when [etc.].
2. In the mood for.Bnff.9 1932:
Ye needna try him ony farrer, he's nae in the ave o't eynoo.Abd.4 1928:
A'm nae on the ave o' 't the day.
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"Ave n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ave_n2>
