Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SHIVER, n.2 Sc. usage, gen. in pl.: a chip or splinter of stone, esp. one broken off in masons' dressing (Sc. 1952 Builder (20 June) 943; em.Sc., Lnk. 1970), comb. shiver-bottoming, hardcore filling in concrete (Ib). Also fig. tatters, bits and pieces. [′ʃɪvər, ′ʃɑev-]Gsw. 1797 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1914) 77:
The bank of his ground to be faced up with shivers or broken stones.Fif. 1865 St Andrews Gazette (3 June):
Where freestone occurs, it is soft, and full of shivers.Slk. 1886 T. Craig-Brown Hist. Slk. I. 55:
A layer of fine sharp gravel, not water-worn but made of “quarry shivers” broken small for the purpose.Per. 1895 R. Ford Tayside Songs 293:
His duds a clat o' shivers.Fif. 1958 T. G. Snoddy Green Loanings 34:
His hands sae fine and true Gied the cauld steel its airt: The shivers lichtly flew.