Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1895-1950
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NYARB, v., n. Also nearb; n(y)irb (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119); nurb-. [njɑrb]
I. v. To be discontented, fretful, or peevish (Abd. 1825 Jam.; Bnff., Abd. 1964). Ppl.adj. nyarbin, querulous, fretful, peevish, crabbed (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 119; Abd. 1900 Abd. Wkly. Free Press (29 Dec.)), nyarbit (ne.Sc. 1964), nurbit (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), id., vbl.n. nyarban, -in, querulousness, peevish quarrelling (Gregor).Abd. 1895 W. Allan Sprays II. 81:
What sense is in nyarbin' an' frettin'?Abd. 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 55:
I' the lum the nyarbit win' Fussles it eerie sang.Abd. 1931 Abd. Press & Jnl. (11 Feb.):
A "nyatterie nyarbit spittin," a peevish, ill-tempered person.ne.Sc. 1950 W. Kemp Cornkisters 10:
Nearbin' a' day, an' snorin' a' nicht, Her mou' iver open, it ne'er gets a dicht.
II. n. 1. A peevish complaint, a fretful carping mood (Gregor, nyarb, nyirb; Abd. 1964).
2. A cantankerous person (Uls. 1924 Northern Whig (9 Jan.), nyirb; Abd. 1964); any creature of stunted growth (Slk. 1825 Jam.).
[Prob. mainly imit., with influence from nirg, Narg, and phs. Orp.]
