Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1731-1732
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†CLEVER, Claver, v.2 To climb, scramble (of a child) (Sc. 1790 F. Grose Provincial Gl.); to cling to, to take a hasty grip of. Claver is obs. except dial. in Eng.Sc. a.1732 T. Boston Crook in the Lot (1773) 132:
God will cause the matter of our honour to give way, like a sandy brae under our feet, while we shall be obliged to clever to the vindication of his.