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.
TEETHE, v. [ti:ð] 1. As in Eng., to develop or cut teeth. Combs. teethin-bannock, -plaster, an oatmeal eake given to a child when beginning to cut teeth.Bnff. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 9:
On the first symptoms of the child's cutting teeth, a teethin bannock was made. It was baked of oatmeal and butter or cream, sometimes with the addition of a ring, in presence of a few neighbours, and without a single word being spoken by the one baking it. When prepared, it was given to the child to play with till it was broken. A small piece was then put into the child's mouth, if it had not done so of its own accord. Each one present carried away a small portion. Such a bannock was supposed to ease the troubles of teething. It went also by the name of teething-plaster.
2. To set teeth in, to furnish with teeth or spikes (Sh., Cai. 1972). Also in Eng. dial. Ppl.adj. teethed, fitted with spikes or tines; of a coal-face: serrated or toothlike (Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 66).Ayr. 1790 Burns O, Merry Hae I Been i.:
O, merry hae I been teethin a heckle.Bwk. 1823 Minstrelsy Merse (Crockett 1893) 153:
Out through the mark the arrows flew, They teeth'd it like a harrow.Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Miller vi.:
Plough coulters, an' teethed harrows.Abd. 1869 Banffshire Jnl. (21 Dec.) 2:
The Auld wheelvricht will teethe yer flichts [of a spinning-wheel].
†3. To point a wall, slates, etc., with lime, giving an appearance like a row of teeth. Vbl.n. teething, pointing.Per. 1782 Session Papers, Mercer v. Williamson (24 Dec. 1784) 6:
All the walls have been built of mortar (i.e. mud), and only a very small teething or pointing of lime on the outside.Fif. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XI. 482:
Stone walls teethed with lime.Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I.198:
Lime for teething . . .3s.
‡4. To face, stand up to, confront, set one's teeth against (Bnff. 1972); intr. with out: to venture out of doors (Gregor).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 191:
They wirna aible t' teethe the blast.Abd. 1880 G. Webster Crim. Officer 50:
Wi' a dizzen o' madmen, a' feckly drunk mair or less, twa men cudna' 'a teeth't the affair.Abd. 1921 T.S.D.C.:
I widna teethe near han't.
