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.
DARE, Daur, Dere, Dar, v., n. [dɑ:r]
1. v. †(1) intr. To be afraid, to shake with fear (Ags., Fif. 1825 Jam.2, daur); to “crouch, hide, lie hid” (Jam.6). Also used with at. Obs. in Eng. since 15th cent. (N.E.D.).Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
He'll dare or dere at his ain shadow.Ags., Slg. 1808 Jam.:
To dare at, to be afraid of a person or thing.
(2) tr. “To keep under abash, intimidate, cow, terrify” (Jam.6). Ppl.adj. daurin'. Known to Abd.27 1947, Lnk.3 1940. Also in use in Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).Dmf. 1805 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 783:
Wi' daurin' glowr her dirk she drew.Abd.(D) 1920 G. P. Dunbar Peat Reek 9:
She lo'ed the bonnie, lauchin' lad her faither couldna daur.
2. n. A feeling of awe or fear (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), dar; Ags., Fif. 1825 Jam.2).
Phrs.: (1) to be in daur of, to be in awe of, to fear; (2) to bide a daur o, to stand in awe of; (3) to hae (pit) a daur on (owre), to instil respect or fear into, to intimidate; (4) to stand daur o', to fear.(1) Per. 1899 C. M. Stuart Pitcoonans (1924) 7:
Every one respected Sandy, but none of us were in “daur” of him, and we expressed our opinions somewhat freely.(2) Per. 1878 R. Ford Hame-spun Lays 104:
Feint a loon for miles aroun' But bides a daur o' Maggie's mither.(3) Fif.10 1939:
Of a man who had several imbecile children, it was said: “It had been dune (i.e. by Providence) to pit a daur owre him, for he had been awfu' for lauchin' at ither fowk (i.e. who were similarly afflicted) when he was a young (= unmarried) man.” To a reckless ill-doer, to whom some calamity has happened, it will be said, “Weel, that'll shairly pit a daur on him” (i.e. intimidate him, frighten him into better conduct).Bwk.2 1947:
Parents hae nae daur owre their bairns noo-a-days.(4) Sh.(D) 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 35:
“We'll meet dem [sheep], an' dey'll shürely staand some daur o' da dugs,” I says.
