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.
DYPER, Deiper, v. and n. [′dəipər]
1. v. To adorn, to deck up (Abd.15 1880–1950; Abd. 1911 Abd. Wkly. Jnl. (20 Jan.); Uls.3 1930); vbl.n. dyperin', embroidering (Uls.3 c.1900); “to dress well or beautifully” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D. Add.).Abd.13 1914:
If the house is clean and well redd up they say “Yer hoose is fairly dypert up the nicht.”
2. n. A polish (Abd.15 1880–1950; Abd.13 1910, deiper).
[The same word as Eng. diaper in its fig. sense of to adorn, variegate. O.Fr. diaprer, to diversify with flourishes.]
