Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DRIB, v.2
1. To beat (Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Bnff.2, Abd.2 1940). Vbl.n. dribban, a thrashing, drubbing; dribbins, id. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42:
The loons got a gueede soon dribban for hairriein' the craw's nest.
2. To scold (Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 42).Bnff.2 1941:
Oor quine's a careless limmer. The mistress dribs her every day, but it's little eese.
3. Specific use: “to strike another boy's marble when playing from the ‘trigger' in the game of marbles” (Ayr.4 1928).
[Prob. a variant of drub, but cf. Norw. dial. dribba, to thump, to strike against something.]
