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.
RIVATWARIE, n. Also rivatwari, revatwir(r)ie, reevatwarrie (Sh.12 1894).
1. A tool for boring holes, an auger, esp. an improvised one.Sh. 1892 Manson's Sh. Almanac:
Wee noo hauls in wir fastie, an mends da sail wi revatwiries, an set it upon er.
2. A large nail (Sh.12 1894). Comb. rivatwarie-splenchin, id. (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). See Plenshin.Sh. 1897 Shetland News (4 Sept.):
I took fower rivatwari splenshens 'at I got oot a piece o' a wrak ship.
3. Fig.: a shell-fish with a spiral-shaped shell (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.).
[Appar. ad. Norw. dial. riva, a rake, + tvare, an auger or borer. Cf. Norw. dial. rivenavar, a tool for boring holes into which to set the teeth of a wooden rake.]
