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.
HABBITROT, n. A name given to the chief fairy in the s.Sc. version of Whippity-Stourie (s.Sc. c.1831 Proc. Bwk. Nat. Club (1916) 67). Also habi-, habby- (Ib.) and habe-.s.Sc. 1866 W. Henderson Folk-Lore 221:
In the old days, when spinning was the constant employment of women, the spinning-wheel had its presiding genius or fairy. Her Border name was Habetrot.
