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.
THRUNTER, n. Also thrinter, thinter. A sheep, esp. a ewe, which has lived though three winters, a three-year old sheep (Lnk. (thrinter), Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Dmf. 1899 Country Schoolmaster (Wallace) 339, thinter). Also in n.Eng. dial. [′θrʌntər, ′θrɪnt-]
[North. Mid.Eng. trynter, thrwenter, id., O.E. þri-winter, of three winters. Cf. Frunter, Twinter.]
