Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PICTER, n. Also pi(c)kter (Abd. 1914 J. Leatham Daavit 63; Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 20), pictur (Sc. 1825 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1863) I. 11; Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 30), pictor (Sc. c.1714 Tincklarian Address to the King's Majesty (Broadsheet)). Sc. forms of picture (Lnk. 1838 McIlwham Papers 13; Dmf. 1908 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo i.; Abd. 1928 P. Grey Making of a King 9). Phr. deil's pictur buicks, playing cards (Sc. 1953 Scots Mag. (April) 58; ne.Sc. 1965). Cf. Deil, VII. C. 24. [′pɪktər]m.Sc. 1991 William Neill in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 50:
Yon tartan laird in the picter wi his glessfu o whisky
an the bonnie pipers playin in yon kid-on Balmoral
cannae possibly be drinkin the selsame stuff
as yon puir gowk staucherin aboot the Gressmercat
slitterin an boakin his saul oot in the siver
inspired nae doot bi bauld John Barleycorn. wm.Sc. 1991 James Russell Grant in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 54:
Wee books ae crime stories fur thruppence
Picturs ae important men an a thoosan an wan ither items Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web iii:
I didna spikk muckle as a bairn, but I drew picturs constantly. "A dour vratch!" ... Picturs hiv ay bin pouerfu tae me. I think in picturs. I screive picto-poems.