Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1706-1724, 1831-1934
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LAVE, v., n.2 Also laive, †leave. Sc. usages:
I. v. 1. To empty out water with a scoop or the like, to bale (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; ne.Sc., Lnk., Ayr., Gall. 1960). Obs. in Eng. Freq. in mining usage of an old method of draining pits (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 41), and as a poaching term. Hence phrs. damming and laving, see 1845 quot. and Dam, n.1, v., Dem, v.; lashins and lavins, fig., abundance (Cai., Gall., Uls. 1960). See Lash, n.1 Agent n. laver, a scoop, baler, as in a boat or washing boiler (ne.Sc., Wgt. 1960); comb. lavin-pan, id. (Abd., Kcd. 1960).Fif. 1710 R. Sibbald Hist. Fife 158:
In the old works, wherein there has been no digging for a long time, no laving, drawing or pumping of water.Bnff. 1724 W. Cramond Ch. Ordiquhill (1886) 28:
Compeared Peter Wilson and John Wright, two young lads, guilty of taking fish by daming and leaving on a Lord's day.Per. 1831 Perthshire Advert. (23 June):
A gang of fellows are at present prowling through the country laving or liming all the pools in the rivulets and burns, poisoning all the fish, and selling them at any prices they will bring.Peb. 1838 W. Welsh Poems 23:
For a' that we could lave.e.Lth. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 II. 285:
At this period (mid 16th c.) the mode of relieving the coal workings from water, was by what was called "damming and laving," that is, having followed the seam of coal as far as they could for water, they made a dam or bank … and by laving the water over this bank, it gradually escaped from the mouth of the working.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Lays 7:
Nor yet for a' 'at baith cud lave, Or dicht, or dem, or close.Kcd. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 401:
What dis he do but lave oot the wal.Tyr. 1928 M. Mulcaghey Ballymulcaghey 83:
There was lashins an' lavins of plenty to ate an' dhrink.
2. With at. To use up or consume greedily or extravagantly, a development from lavins in phr. above.Arg.1 1934:
There's three deer oot there lavin away at the turnips. . . They just laved away at the money till it was aa done.
II. n. 1. A quantity of any liquid thrown or dashed, the act of so doing (ne.Sc. 1960).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 100:
He got a laive o' wattir in's face.
2. A method of catching fish by damming up a pool and drawing out the water.Rnf. 1706 W. Hector Judicial Rec. (1876) 200:
That non kill smotts or trouts with any engine on dams or laves.
