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.
SON-AFORE-THE-FATHER, n. Sc. form and usages of Eng. son-before-the-father, a name given to various plants of which the flowers appear before their leaves: 1. mezereon, Daphne mezereum (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); 2. common butterbur, Petasites vulgaris (Clc. 1886 B. and H. 442); 3. common coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Clc. 1886 B. and H.). Also in n.Eng. dial.; 4. a plant of the genus Anemone, Hepatica (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.); 5. the cudweed, Gnaphalium (Sc. 1869 N. & Q. (4th Ser.) III. 91); 6. the flowering currant, Ribes (Kcd. 1971).
