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: 1844-1899
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SHAVIN, n. 1. In phr. to a shavin, exactly, to a nicety (Cai., Ayr. 1970). Also in Eng. dial.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie i.:
Ye hae hit aff Peter till a shavin.Gsw. 1868 J. Young Poems 170:
Meg's hair, to a shavin, is dark as the raven.
2. The drip or sliver of molten grease that runs down the side of a burning candle, looked on as an omen of death. See Spale, deid-spale s.v. Deid, n., III. 46.Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 33:
When a candle runs that is, when a “shaving” descends down its stalk — look soon for the coffin of a friend.
