Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HULBERT, n. Also hulbirt; holberd, -t (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); halbert. A big, clumsy person, animal or object; “a tall thin person” (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., halbert). Also used adj. = big, shapeless, full-figured (Jak.), and in adj. deriv. holberdli, id. (Ib., Sh. 1957).Sh. 1898 Shetland News (31 Dec.):
I mind ower weel whin Lusa Laesk de'ed. Doo minds what a hulbirt shü wis, Girzzie?Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
A great hulbert av a ku.
