Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†CONSTABLE, n. A large glass which had to be emptied by anyone who did not “drink fair,” i.e. who did not drink as much as the rest of the company (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Jam. adds that “this pernicious custom is now almost universally laid aside.”
[A humorous application of Eng. constable.]
