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.
GLAIBER, v., n. Also gla(i)bber, †glebber, †glebor. [′glebər, ′glɑb-]
I. v. 1. intr. To chatter, babble, talk idly (Dmf., Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Cai. 1900 E.D.D.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., glabber, glaibber; Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms; Rxb.4 1954). Also in Chs. dial.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 25:
He wad hae glaiber'd about the splittin o' breers for the hale o' a lang forenicht i' the wunter time, without wearyin.Ib. 362:
For ay she's gleboring to hersell, And cursing some to gang to hell.Sc. 1888 A. Hislop Sc. Anecdotes 70:
“Let us alane o' your glaibering about religion, ye rascal,” said a father to his son.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick viii.:
What aboot . . . that glabberin auld füle Archie Howden that ye're sae chief wi'?
2. tr. To say (something) in a babbling, inconsequent way.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Glabberin' a lot o' nonsense.
3. intr. To speak indistinctly, “as children who have not learned to articulate with propriety” (Sc. 1808 Jam.); “to talk in a hurried, inarticulate manner” (Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms); “to slobber when speaking” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
II. n. 1. Chatter (Rxb. 1825 Jam., glebber, 1923 Watson W.-B.); 2. in pl.: (1) idle, absurd talk (Ib.); (2) “slobbering talk” (Watson); 3 “one who talks in a slobbering manner” (Ib.).
[Origin prob. imit.; influenced also by Claver, v., n.1, q.v.]
