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.
TETHERY, adj., numeral. Also tether(i) (Rnf. c.1830–60 Trans. Philolog. Soc. (1879) 357). The number three as used by children in counting-out rhymes (Edb., Rxb. c.1840 P.S.A.S. XLIX. 281–2; Edb. 1911 Rymour Club Misc. I. 103; Per. 1972).
[Orig. ad. Welsh tri, three, altered after Methery, q.v. See also Baombe, Hecturi, Teenty.]
