We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

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

‡NEBERT, n. Also nebir(t), neber, -ord, -urd (Jak.), nebbard, nabert, niebert. A taboo-name for fish cut into pieces for bait, a sufficient quantity of bait for one fishing trip (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1958). Also attrib. [′ne(:)bərt, -ərd]Sh. 1822 S. Hibbert Descr. Sh. 512:
We hae a guid nebert o' haddicks.Sh. 1892 Manson's Almanac:
By da time we haed snee'd da nabert an aeten a bite o bread, we wir at settin grund.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 244:
Da grind wi' da skoags, da skönes, an' da glaan wir a' laid i' da nabert locker i' da eft room.

[Cf. Icel. niðrburðr, a quantity of bait lowered into the sea. The form represents the cognate Norw. dial. nedburd, nebor, -ur, with differentiated meaning, a downfall of rain or snow.]

19291

snd