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.
SPOT, n. Sc. usages. For Sc. forms see Spat, n.1
1. A person or thing which attracts attention, someone or something remarkable. Used esp. in neg. or ironical contexts.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 178:
She's a gey spot. That wife o' his is nae great spot.
2. A round cushion of pins (Bnff. 1965, a spot o' preens). Also attrib. Cf. Spat, n.1 Combs. spot-preen, a pin, as used in playing with the teetotum (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.).Inv. 1744 Trans. Inv. Scientific Soc. I. 234:
4 sheets gray paper, 2 spots pins.ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 163:
A plentiful supply of “spot” and loose pins.
3. In deriv. spottin, as a weaving term: thick yarn (Ayr. c.1930, Ayr. 1971).
