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.
TOT, v., n.3 Also tottie and reduplic. form tot-tot. [tɔt]
I. v. To walk with short, stumbling or feeble steps, to toddle as a young child, to totter from age or infirmity (Fif. (tottie), Ayr. 1825 Jam.; Lnk., Ayr. 1972). Ppl.adj. tottin, toddling. Also in Eng. dial. Adj. tottie, in-toed (Rs. 1972).Lth. 1810 G. Bruce Poems 173:
Wee totting Sandy stood close by my knee.Sc. 1833 Chambers's Jnl. (Aug.) 234:
Totting about, crying, ‘Grannie, do this,' and ‘Grannie, gie me that.'Ags. 1846 Arbroath Guide (19 Dec.) 4:
My bairnies twa wi' cherry cheeks Aye tottin' hand in hand wi' ither.Ayr. 1822 J. Hyslop Dream of a Masque 136:
Till owre life's gloamin' braes ye tot hirpelin' doon.Dmf. 1898 J. Paton Castlebraes 30:
He tots aboot there, frae Cot to Cot.Lnk. 1908 Gsw. Ballad Club III. 182:
Like the Piper o' Hamelin, enchanted, he draws The tot, tottin' wee things.Lnk. 1920 Border Mag. (June) 95:
Wee tottin' weans, men grown.
II. n. Only in phr. upon the tot, on the go' getting about.Gsw. 1860 J. Young Poorhouse Lays 98:
Thou'rt still upon the tot.
