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.
ETTERSKAB, n. Also eterskab, -skop (Jak.).
1. Bitterly cold weather.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A eterskab o' cauld, a cauld eterskab.
2. A fretful, cross or ill-natured person, a mischief-maker (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); 1950 (per Abd.27), etterskab).
[In sense 1., the word appears to be a deriv. of Etter, n., (2), and in sense 2., a corrupted form of Ettercap, n., 3.]