We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

CANAIVE, v. To gossip, gen. maliciously. [kɪ′ne:v]Ags.10 (Broughty Ferry) 1925:
They're up tae nae gude fan they're canaivin'.

[Phs. a variant of Eng. connive, to shut one's eyes to a thing (early 17th cent.), later, to have a covert understanding with a person (1797), with further extension of meaning.]

5556

snd

Hide Advanced Search

Browse SND:

    Loading...

Share: