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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.

NORTER, n., v. Also nortar (Abd. 1911 Abd. Jnl. N. & Q. IV. 50), -ir, -or. [′nortər]

I. n. Rigorous discipline or drill, chastisement, rough handling (Abd. 1964).Abd. 1932 Abd. Press & Jnl. (13 April):
Sic nortir wid 'a gart the thickest hided cuddy yowl!Abd. 1960:
The snawdraps got awfu norter last year.

II. v. To discipline, chastise, punish (Abd.14 1915, Abd. 1964).Ayr. a.1851 A. Aitken Poems (1873) 106:
Loud they gar their lang whips play smack, The yauds to nortor.

[Sc. form of Eng. nurture, obs. in this sense since 17th c. For the first vowel cf. Norsery, norice, etc., s.v. Nourice. O.Sc. nurtour, n., 1375, v., a.1500, nortour, v., c.1520.]

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