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.
Quotation dates: 1715-1831, 1894
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†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.
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"Felter v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/felter>
