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.
TEEWHEET, n. Also teewhit; -weet, -wit (Sc. 1887 Jam.), tewhit, tewit (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 383), twet (Kcd. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XI. 31), tuwheet (Dmf. 1826 A. Cunningham Paul Jones I. xii.); teeweep (Ork. 1925 J. Omond Ork. Birds 40), -wheep (Ork. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 184, Cai. 1972), -whaap (Ork. 1806 P. Neill Tour 203), -whoop (Ork. a.1795 G. Low Fauna Orcad. (1813) 84), -whoap (Ork. 1808 Jam.), -whup(po) (Ork. 1920–72). The lapwing, Vanellus cristatus (Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 157, Peb., sm.Sc. 1972). See also Teuchit. [sm.Sc. ′′tiʍɪt; Ork. ti′ʍʌp(ɔ)]Sc. 1798 E. S. J. Morcar and Elfina 23:
The tewhits play'd wild, wild o'er the lea.Dmf. 1827 Carlyle Letters (Norton) I. 47:
I would almost rather build a ring-fence round it, and leave it gratis to the tee-wheets.Kcb. 1904 Gallovidian No. 22. 107:
Bedecked with bonny heather bells where te-wits flew.
