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.
Quotation dates: 1908-1949
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DIBE, DÄIB, Dyb, Deib, v. [dəib]
1. “To dip frequently in water, as a seabird does its bill” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., deib; 1908 Jak. (1928)).
2. Fig. uses: (1) To be constantly engaged in fishing (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
He's däibin i' de sea for ever.
(2) To plod, to drudge, to toil; to busy oneself with trifles (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1914 Angus Gl., dibe; Sh.10 1949); “to work patiently” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., dyb).Sh. 1919 T. Manson Humours Peat Comm. II. 190:
Hed it no been fur me and what I'm toiled an slaved an dybid aa mi life, yiss, dat bairn wid a been brakin stons ipu da rod.
Hence diberie, drudgery.Sh. 1949 New Shetlander (March–April) 5:
The increasing use of ploughs and mechanical tractors, which has taken a good deal of the sting of the varg and slaister and diberie out of it.
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"Dibe v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dibe_v>
