Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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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.

TARTAR, v., n. Also tarter, tartre (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.). [′tɑrtər]

I. v. To move about restlessly and noisily (Cai. 1958); to blunder about; to toss, fidget, wriggle (Cai. 1972). Ppl.adj. tartaran, restless, always on the move (Cai. 1972).Cai. 1928:
They a' cam' tartaran hame.Cai. 1932 John o' Groat Jnl. (18 Nov.):
A met him an' Willie tarterin' in their car fae ae big fairm till anither.

II. n. A disturbance, noise, hubbub (Cai. 1921 T.S.D.C., Cai. 1972).Cai. 1905 E.D.D.:
Fat ir ye kickan ip sic a tartre far?