Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡SAB, v.1, n.1 Also ¶saib (Abd. 1827 J. Imlah May Flowers 121). Sc. form and usage of Eng. sob, to weep, noise of weeping (Sc. 1769 D. Herd Sc. Songs 338, 1825 Jam.; Per., Fif., Lth., Ayr. 1915–26 Wilson m.Sc. 1969). See P.L.D. § 54.
I. v. 1. To exude moisture, drip, ooze, in Burns quot. of nuts roasting.Ayr. 1785 Burns Halloween x.:
In loving bleeze they sweetly join, Till white in ase they're sobbin.Sc. 1832 A. Henderson Proverbs 74:
Birk will burn, be it burn drawn; Sauch will sab, if it were simmer sawn.
2. Of the wind, to gust audibly.Abd. 1987 Donald Gordon The Low Road Hame 35:
'Fit seek ye here on the cauld hillside,
Traivellin sae late at e'en,
Fan the owlet hoots tae the sabbin win
I' the licht o a weary mune!
II. n. The noise made by a gust of wind or by the rise and fall of the sea; a full sea occurring on the east coast in May (Kcd. 1921 T.S.D.C., sob). See also Mey, 1. (14).Slk. 1820 Hogg Shep. Cal. (1874) vii.:
Puffing o' love vows, and sabs o' wind.Lnk. 1897 J. Wright Scenes Sc. Life 74:
They seem aye to list To the sab o' the sea.
