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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SKALVA, n. Also scalva; skalv(e) (Jak.). Soft flaky snow (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.). [′skɑlvə]Sh. 1898 Shetland News (26 Feb.):
He's a tickness o' scalva 'at's no moderate.Sh. 1953 New Shetlander No. 35. 14:
Kittiwakes began flying by in groups and presently they filled the air thick as a shower of skalva.

[Cf. Norw. dial. skav, a thin sprinkling of snow, skavl, a snow drift, Faer. skalvur, a projecting mass or cornice of snow, with metathesis of l and v, from O.N. skafl, deriv. of skaf, a peeling, a flake.]

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