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.
TEAR, n.1, v.1 Also taer (Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 140; Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasm ie's Büddie 91, 1962 New Shetlander No. 60. 17), tare (Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 50); teire (s.Sc. 1824 J. Telfer Border Ballads 23). Sc. forms and usages of Eng. tear, in weeping. [ti:r; Sh., Ork., em.Sc.(a) te:r. See P.L.D. § 88.]
I. n. Comb. and phrs.: 1. tear-blob, a tear-drop; 2. wi the tear in one's ee, in an emotional or tearful state, in mourning or grief (Per., wm.Sc., Kcb. 1972).1. Dmf. 1810 R. Cromek Remains 244:
She wiped the tear-blobs frae her ee.2. Sc. 1758 Session Papers, Knox v. Tennent (25 Jan.) 29:
The Deponent having put James Knox in mind of his Promise before his Mother's Death, James Knox answered, That he was taken with the Tear in his Eye, and that he knew his Mother's Mind.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxxii.:
It was an unco thing to bid a mother leave her ain house wi' the tear in her ee, the moment her eldest son had been carried a corpse out at the door o't.Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of the Lairds iii.:
It was wi' the tear in his e'e, for he was a warm-hearted bodie.Rnf. 1920:
Of a house repairer who was better at promising than at fulfilment, it was said that “he wad ne'er send ye awa wi' the tear in your ee.”Sc. 1972:
A common wish for a friend's prosperity — Lang may your lum reek and the mouse ne'er leave your girnel wi the tear in its ee.
II. v. 1. To weep. Obs. or dial. in Eng.Sc. 1722 W. Hamilton Wallace xi. i.:
Thro which alace, who can forbear to tear?Mry. 1806 J. Cock Simple Strains 103:
There, I fell in wi' Geordy Brown, And he, poor saul, was tearin'!Lnk. 1806 Session Papers, Macbeth v. Alston (27 June) 25:
Miss Wood took a tout, and fell a-crying or tearing.
†2. To stipple a church door or wall with blobs of paint to represent the tears of mourners at the funeral of some person of local consequence.Lnk. 1742 W. Grossart Shotts 207:
For colouring and tearing the church doors and lettering them, and colouring and tearing the wal opposite to your burial-place and lettering the same, 8 s. Scots.
