Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TWITTER, v.1, n.1 Sc. usages:
I. v. tr. and intr. To (make to) quiver or tremble (Sh., Ags., Fif., wm.Sc.. Wgt. 1973). Ppl.adj. twittering, trembling, shaky, quivering. Now dial. in Eng.Fif. 1812 W. Tennant Anster Fair 151:
Their liquid wee lips twitter'd kisses hot.Kcb. 1814 W. Nicholson Tales 80:
Where tinted little rainbows shine, Twitterin' like dew-drops on the thorn.Sc. 1835 Wilson's Tales of the Borders I. 317:
I more than once observed the twittering streak of satisfaction and delight pass owre his cheeks.Sc. 1884 Stevenson Letters (1924) III. 12:
Hardly able to come down stairs for twittering knees.
II. n. A state of nervous excitement or apprehension, a fluster (Sh., Ags., Fif., wm.Sc., Wgt. 1973). Now dial. in Eng.Dmf. 1820 A. McNay Poet. Wks. 116:
Her heart had got a twitter.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 208:
The engine-driver in a fearfu' twitter for fear he would upset the royal train.
