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.
SOVE, v.1, n. Also sov (Jak.), söv-. [sov]
I. v. 1. tr. To stun, to stupefy by a blow, to “knock out” (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 208, 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.; I.Sc. 1971). Ppl.adj. soved, stunned, stupefied, unconscious; vbl.n. sovin, a stunning blow (Jak.); in gen., to hit or punch.Sh. 1877 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 143:
A heavy kail stock landed right on the middle of Bawby's black binder. “O my Lord! I'm soved,” she exclaimed.Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 68:
Da hen wis kind o' soved wi' da dad.Sh. 1951 New Shetlander No. 27. 11:
I steekit my nave an soved him atween da een.
2. intr. To sink into a stupor (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1971). Vbl.n. söven, a doze (Id.).Sh. 1949 New Shetlander No. 19. 25:
Ah'll hae me a braa söven idda waarm box-bed.
II. n. A stunning blow (Ork. 1971), a shove, push or thrust (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[For I. 1. cf. Norw. dial. svœva, søva, to lull to sleep, stun, O.N. svœfa, to lull, sœfa, to slaughter, causative forms of Norw., Dan. sove, O.N. sofa, to sleep.]
