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: 1822, 1903-1923
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GAIVE, v., n. Also gave, ‡gaivel, †geave. Cf. Gove, v., n.1 [ge:v]
I. v. 1. To move about in a clumsy, purposeless or restless fashion (Bwk. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., 1942 Zai).Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man I. iv.:
Callant, clap the lid down on the pat; what hae they't hinging geaving up there for?Dmf. 1903 J. L. Waugh Thornhill vi.:
He went out to the back door and called down the garden: — "What the deevil are you twae hempies gave, gavein aboot there for?"Kcb. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.:
Sit doon, Jackie, an' dinna gang gaivin aboot in folk's road.ne.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
He was gaivin' aboot like a bull.
Hence gaivie, n., a clumsy fellow (Watson).
†2. "To toss the head upwards and downwards, as a horse that needs a martingale" (Lth. 1825 Jam., gaivel). Cf. Cave, v.1, (1).
3. To stare in a stupid, vacant or idle manner, to stare wildly (Rxb. 1825 Jam., gaivel; 1923 Watson W.-B., gaive, ‡gaivel). Also in Cum. dial. in form gavel.
Hence gaivie, n., one who stares stupidly (Watson).
II. n. "An epithet given to a person oddly or fantastically dressed: 'an unco-like gaive'" (Kcb.2 c.1930).
[Of somewhat uncertain origin: v. 1. and 2. are voiced variants of Cave, v.1, q.v.; 3. may be an extended sense of this with influence from Gove.]
