Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
‡TAIVER, v.3 1. To eat sparingly and without appetite, to toy with one's food, to be faddy about eating.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was just taiveran wi' his meat.
2. Of a bird; to forsake its nest and eggs (Ib.).
[Norw. dial. te(i)vra, teira, = 1. 2., if not a different word, may be due to assimilation from Tarrow, which has sim. meanings.]
