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.
WEER, n. Also erron. waur (Mry. 1921 T.S.D.C.). Gen. in pl. [wir(z)]
1. Doubt, apprehension, fear.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 142:
I thought ere I died to have anes made a wob, But still I had weers o' the spinning o't.n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
I haif na weir of that.
2. In adv. phr. the weers o followed by the gerund (†or to with the infin.), and in forms in (the) weers, on the weers, all variants of Aweers, q.v.: in danger of, on the brink of, just about to, almost resolved to (ne.Sc. 1973).Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 42:
Lums in wiers to get a dird, Or downward flung.Abd. 1889 Bon-Accord (31 August) 20:
He wis the weers o' borrowin' a pound note frae me.Abd. 1931 D. Campbell Uncle Andie 28:
A wis jist on the weers o' speirin' gin ye wad think it ower.Bnff. 1953 Banffshire Jnl. (13 Oct.):
I'm the weers o' thinkin' there micht be mair than a morsel o' truth in't.Abd. 1965 Huntly Express (25 June) 2:
Gin it hid been Duncan noo I wid hae been the weers o' gyan efter 'im.
