Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
STRIVE, v., n. Also ¶straeive (s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms xviii. 43); erron. scrive. Sc. forms and usages:
I. v. A. Forms. Pa.t. strong strave (Sc. 1725 Ramsay T.-T. Misc. (1876) II. 203; Abd. 1778 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 26; Kcb. 1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun 72; Sc. 1818 S. Ferrier Marriage xxxi.; s.Sc. 1873 D.S.C.S. 208; Gsw. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lykewake 171; Ags. 1897 Bards Ags. (Reid) 497; Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; Rxb. 1942 Zai; Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 14; Sh., Rxb. 1971) [strev]; ¶stroove (Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 17), ¶struve (Abd. 1916 G. Abel Wylins 13), conventionalised representations of ne.Sc. form streev(e) (Abd. 1861 J. Davidson Poems 120; ne.Sc. 1971) [striv]; weak strived (Peb. 1817 R. D. C. Brown Comic Poems 18); pa.p. striven.
B. Usages: 1. With wi or absol.: to quarrel, wrangle, fall out, dispute (Sc. 1881 A. Mackie Scotticisms 51; Sh., n.Sc. 1971); to take a dislike (to) or distaste (for). Rare and obs. in Eng. Ppl.adj. striven, having quarrelled, at loggerheads, in a state of enmity, out of friendship (Abd. 1825 Jam.; ne.Sc. 1971).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 388:
You strive about uncoft gait.Abd. 1817 J. Christie Instructions 76:
Jock said are ye wi' Bess aye thrang, Or are ye striven, and chang'd your sang?Abd. 1832 W. Scott Poems 64:
I dinna think we ever streeve bat ance.Ayr. 1833 Galt Howdie, etc. (1923) 192:
I am no now in a condition to strive.Abd. 1850 Bards Bon-Accord (Walker 1887) 621:
Dorty miss to strive wi' her meat.Ags. 1871 J. Macpherson D. Matheson 161:
They strove and parted.Abd. 1887 Bon-Accord (30 April) 15:
Surely Mrs Birse an' her guidman's strivin'.Abd. 1929 J. Alexander Mains & Hilly 195:
They streeve on the road, an' hid a gweed fecht.Bnff. 1953 Banffshire Jnl. (17 Nov.):
But me an' the boss streeve wi' ither.
2. To struggle physically, to wrestle, jostle. Obs. in Eng.Slg. 1711 G. I. Murray Records Falkirk Parish (1888) II. 83:
Striving together about a chair in the church.Abd. 1824 J. Maidment Garland 3:
The steeds they strave into their stables.
3. To scatter coins or sweets at a wedding for children to scramble for (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf., Rxb. 1971). Strive out!, the call for the scatter to be made (Rxb. 1970). Cf. II. 2.
II. n. 1. A struggle, a vehement effort, a contention.Rnf. 1828 Paisley Mag. 561:
It was just a strive between us wha would like the ither best.Ayr. 1836 Galt in Tait's Mag. (June) 391:
He was egged on to be a doctor; but when, however, he was in the middle of the strive, his father died.
2. A scattering of coins, etc., esp. at a wedding, for children to scramble for (Dmb. 1921 Border Mag. (Jan.) 14, scrive; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Inv., s.Sc. 1971). Also strive out (Rxb. 1971). Cf. I. 3.Rxb. 1931 Border Mag. (March) 41:
On closing school for the summer holidays a “scatter” or “strive” of “papes” was made.
