Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†FELTER, v., n. Also †fitter (Jam.).
I. v. 1. To tangle, weave faultily (Fif. 1825 Jam.); to mat. Ppl.adj. feltered, matted, shaggy, unkempt. Now only dial. in Eng. Also fig., to work ineffectively or in a confused manner.Cai. 1719 in C. K. Sharpe Acct. Witchcraft (1884) 191:
She was in the likeness of a feltered catt.Slk. 1818 Hogg Wool-gatherer (1874) 73:
Whar is he himsel, the muckle duddy feltered gouk?Dmf. 1831 Carlyle in Froude Early Life (1882) II. 211:
I daily make the attempt to work and keep scraffling and feltering.
2. To entangle, encumber, lit. and fig. Now dial. in Eng.Peb. 1715 A. Pennecuik Descr. Of Twd. 75:
Whose main Design and chiefest Aim's to felter They best Friend's feet, by drinking Helter Skelter.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 57:
With bleeding legs, an' sair misguided shoon, An' Lindy's coat ay felt'ring her aboon.Edb. 1801 J. Thomson Poems 127:
But something shapen like a halter, An' plad'd wi' care, By craig or shanks this does her felter.Sc. 1806 R. Jamieson Ballads I. 234:
Wi' felter'd tongue, and flichterin heart.
3. intr. To welter, wallow, be soaked (in blood).Sc. 1747 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) III. 155:
The wounded feltring in their gore and blood.
II. n. A defect in weaving (Fif. 1825 Jam.; Fif.3 1930); a mistake.Fif. 1894 A. S. Robertson Provost 99:
A' yer felters will be detected, an' baith you an yer claith will be kickit to the door.
