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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CALLOW, KALLOW, KALLO, v. “To calve” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl., kallo; Ork. 1929 Marw., kallow; s.Rxb. 1935 (per e.Dmf.2)). Most commonly used as pa.p. or ppl.adj. [′kalo]Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 15:
If doo gengs on at dis rate doo'll be sayin 'at A'm ta blame 'at da Spungid coo is no callow'd yit.
Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 41:
Johnnie, will th'u . . . tak twa o the corn shaev's that's tied tae the t'wart bauks . . . for they're twa kye callowed.

Hence callowin'-pains, calving pains.Ib. 49:
I' a cunyo o' the geo, he saw a mither selkie lyan' i' a' the trouble o' her callowin'-pains.

[O.Sc. callow, 1624 (D.O.S.T. Add.). See Cauf, n.1 and v., and for the -ow ending, cf. the parallel development of Lat. calvus, bald, to Eng. callow, unfledged, raw.]

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