Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STRAB, n. Also strabe. A stalk of corn that has been missed or broken only by the scythe or reaper at harvest (Abd. 1911 Abd. Weekly Jnl. (20 Jan.); Bnff., Abd. 1971); any odd or loose straw (Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.). Deriv. strablach, a loose untidy end, of thread or the like (Mry. 1921 T.S.D.C.).Abd. 1801 W. Beattie Parings (1873) 5:
Yer head's just like a heather bush Wi' strabs an' straes.Abd. 1887 R. S. Robertson On Bogie's Banks 78:
We wore nae drabbilt trauchlin' trails tae gaither strabs an' straes.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 128:
If ony skabs [sic] he chanced ta pass, At hint o' hairst he'd ha'e nae lass.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS. v.:
Dicht the strabes fae the tail o' yer shafe.Abd. 1945 Scots Mag. (Feb.) 378:
Seekin' some strab o' strae or twa-three faul' O' girss to hap them fae the sypin' caul'.Abd. 1992 David Toulmin Collected Short Stories 169:
Gathering strabs and opening out sheaves that were sprouting in the bands.
