Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1820-1827, 1900-1931
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PROB, n., v. Sc. form and usages of Eng. probe.
I. n. 1. As in Eng. Specif. a sharp-pointed instrument for piercing the stomach of swollen cattle to release the accumulated gas, a trochar (Ork., ne.Sc. 1966).Abd.5 1931:
I've a boxfu' o' ferrier leems o' a' kinkyne, fleems, prob, an' a'.
2. A prod, poke, jab (ne.Sc., Per., Slg. 1966).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 160:
The Fisher-Knicht, wi' halbert's prob, Their hobblin' hender-ends did job.
II. v. 1. As in Eng. Specif. to release gas from a cow's stomach by piercing (Bnff., Abd. 1966).Abd. 1900 C. Murray Hamewith 10:
Could dress a mart, prob hoven nowt, an' flay.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 4:
He wis verra cowshus an' handy at bleedin' an' probin' a stirk.
2. To prod, poke, jab, stab (Sh., ne. and em.Sc.(a) 1966). Also fig.Abd. 1820 A. Skene Poems 35:
Tho' inclination may you prob, I say misgive 'er.Sh. 1901 Shetland News (22 June):
Is yon what they prob da Boers wi?
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"Prob n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/prob>
