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.
ETHER, n.3 Also edder, ither. See also Uther. [′ɛðər Cai. (+ ′ɪð-). ne.Sc. (+ ′ɛd-), Per., Fif.; ′ɪðər Ork.]
1. The udder of a cow or other domestic animal (Abd. 1825 Jam.2, edder: Mry., Fif. 1916 T.S.D.C. II., ether; Ork. (ither), Cai. (ether, ither), Bnff., Abd. (edder). Fif. 1950).Edb. 1733–5 Sc. Antiquary XVII. 198:
Tonge with ethere and daimson sauce.Bch. 1832 W. Scott Poems 22:
Tak' aff their milk, an' leave their edders teem.Bnff. 1872 W. Philip It 'ill a' Come Richt 128:
They teuk a' her milk fae her ae nicht, and turned her ether into withered knots.Mry. 1897 J. Mackinnon Braefoot Sk. vi.:
Touching the donkey's side with her cog, Betty sat down and began to feel for the cow's udder. . . . “In the worl' o' Gweed fat's come o' yer ether?”Abd. 1926 L. Coutts Lyrics 21:
The kye wi creamy edders full Gid lowin hame te the byre.
Comb.: edder-pap, the nipple.Abd. 1904 W. A. G. Farquhar Fyvie Lintie 126:
Gin ye wad reach the towerin' tap O' fame, faut-free and jolly, Sook weel your mither's edder-pap While ye remain a foalie.
2. The breast of a woman (Abd. 1825 Jam.2, edder; Abd.27 1940).
[Mid.Eng. iddyr, O.E. ūder, id.]
