Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1709, 2000-2004
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HUIF, n.1 Also hiv (Abd. 1882 G. Macdonald Castle Warlock xiv.; Cai. 1902 E.D.D., Cai., ne.Sc. 1957), hivv; hive (Mry. 1909 Colville 152; ne.Sc. 1953 Mearns Leader (30 Oct.)); hoove; †hief (Bch.1804 W. Tarras Poems 114); pl. haives (Lnk. 1862 D. Wingate Poems 57; Ayr. 1895 H. Ochiltree Redburn v.), also huifs, huives; and dims. hovie (Dwn. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 76). Sc. forms of Eng. hoof (Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poems II. 208; Slg. 1885 A. Murray Poems 39, Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 16, w.Sc. 1929 R. Crawford Quiet Fields 34, Ags., Kcb. 1957). Phr. not to yield a hoove, not to budge an inch, yield a foot. [Sc. høf, hɪf, pl. he:vz; n.Sc. hɪv, †hif. See P.L.D. §35, §128, §164.5.]Sc. c.1709 J. Nimmo Narrative (S.H.S.) 26:
The godlie loved him, and enemies could find nothing against him, except in the matters of his God, wherein hee wold not yeeld a hoove. Dmf. 2000 Betty Tindal Old Mortality 11:
Mind on, Jess, said Jaunty, yer huives are yer founds, sae ye maun aye luik aifter them. Ye'll hae tae mak Robert aware every noo an then, that ye're needin shod. Edb. 2004:
Ah'm shair it must hurt horses' huifs when they nail thae shuin tae them.
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"Huif n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/huif_n1>
