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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

REERIE, n. Also rearie, -y; also in reduplic. form reary rary, and with alternative endings reeris (Abd.7 1925), rearum (Gregor). A noisy quarrel or disturbance, a row, shindy, uproar (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 140; ne.Sc. 1968); a wild noisy frolic (Gregor).Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 20:
What is't mak's a the reary rary here?
Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 9:
Short time it was until a reary raise.
Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxv.:
Fat's that makin' sic a reerie amo' the stirks?
Bnff. 1897 J. Milne Poems 27:
Sic a reerie neer was seen The din was undevalin.

[Etym. somewhat uncertain. Phs. a curtailed form of the comb. reary-rary, the earliest instance of the word, in which the second element may represent Rair, to roar, shout.]

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