Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

BICHTER, Bighter, n. “A stone used as an anchor to long lines” (Sh. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 131; Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.). [′btər]Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.:
Bighter, a stone . . . attached to every weight of lines, in order to keep the line and hooks lying at the bottom.Sh. 1931 J. Nicolson Sh. Incidents and Tales 53:
Each tow [rope or fishing line to which buoys were attached] had also a sinking stone attached, much lighter, and termed a “bichter.”