Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1757-1816
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†SEGG, n. Also seg, saig. An animal, gen. a bull, that has been castrated when fully grown (s.Sc. 1802 J. Sibbald Chron. Sc. Poetry Gl.; Mry. 1813 W. Leslie Agric. Mry. 465; Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 129). See also bull-segg s.v. Bull, n.6, 15. Also in Eng. dial.Ayr. 1757 Session Papers, Petition J. Carnochan (19 Feb. 1768) 22:
The pursuer's servant came with the eight cattle, viz. four cows and four seggs.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 46:
The saig poor dowy beast! nae pleasure kens Aboon a gowan tap.Per. 1816 J. Duff Poems 108:
I'll rather bear a broken leg, Than bear that hatefu' name, a saig.
