Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†WAITH-HORN, n. comb. A piece of wood (orig. horn) fixed on the gunwale of a boat with a groove in it through which to haul a fishing line (Ork. 1929 Marw.) to prevent chafing of the boat-timber. Also in reduced form waithie, id. (Ib.).
[Norw. vadhorn, O.N. vaðhorn, id., from vaðr, a fishing-line, cogn. with wad- in Wadmal. For the phonology cf. P.L.D. § 48.1. (3), poss. with some influence from Wade, n.2]
