Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CUMPER, Kumper, Comper, n. Applied either to the father-lasher, Acanthocottus bubalis or to the allied species, A. scorpius (Sc. 1920 (per Mry.2), cumper; Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl., comper, 1929 Marw., kumper, Ags. 1927 (per Ags.1), cumper). [′kʌmpər]Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. of Ork. 291:
The Fatherlasher (cottus scorpius, Lin. Syst.) or, as it is here named, the comper.Abd. 1993 Fraserburgh Herald 10 Sep 2:
These rigs enclose 20% of the best fishing grounds. Saithe also breed in untouched shallow coastal waters. I counted 300 piries and 60 cumpers in half an hour entering one small harbour with the tide.Bch. 1943 W. Spence Forsyth Guff o' Waur 60:
The Ronnie Twins John Drummond gairds and lats him fill his wyme Wi' labsters, craibs and cumpers that they scare.
