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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

MALVADER, v. Also mil(l)vader. To stun with a blow, to daze (Sc. 1903 E.D.D.).

Hence vbl.n. malvadering, milvadering, a fight with the fists, a beating, and curtailed form milvad, a blow.Sc. 1821 D. Haggart Life 33, 53:
Barney struck him, I joined, and a terrible milvadering took place. . . . Both his oglers being darkened by the milvad with the putter (an ox-foot).
Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 478:
I wat ye war a crafty boy, And cud millvader fine, And plump a fallow's benjie-cloy.
Sc. 1903 E.D.D.:
I'll malvader ye. He's sair malvadert wi' the drink. . . . Sic a malvaderin' as I am to get; he has won six games already.

[From Ir. dial. mulvather, to confuse, bamboozle.]

18131

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