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.
TEETER, v. [′titər]
1. To totter or walk with short tripping or uncertain steps. Gen.Sc. Dial. in Eng. but recently revived as St. Eng.Bnff. 1956 Banffshire Jnl. (21 Aug.):
He ey teetert alang as gin he wis steppin' on het bricks or broken bottles.ne.Sc. 1957 Mearns Leader (19 July):
Teeterin' doon amon' the chucky-steens wi' neist tae naething on.
2. To hesitate or hover in an indecisive manner (Sh., Cai., Bnff. 1972).Mry. 1949 Bulletin (20 Sept.):
The dogs teeter uncertainly between the porch and the kitchen sofa.Bnff. 1950 N. Paterson Behold Thy Daughter iv:
Hurry man, rin, we hinna a' day to teeter about here.
3. To shiver, tremble (Sh. 1880 Jam.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; I.Sc. 1972). Hence titterin, shivering from the effects of cold (Id.).
[A variant of Titter, q.v. For 3. cf. Norw. dial., O.N. titra, to quiver, shake, tremble.]
