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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WHITTER, n.1 Dim. form whittery. A small or insignificant object; “anything of weak growth” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. (1876) 473), a trifle (Edb. 1974). [′ʍɪtər]Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 112:
I laid them [eggs] in a my king's-hood Wi' gude fresh butter, Whare I wat they grew flesh an blood, An' that nae whitter.
Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 214:
His scythes row owre a famous swaird, And no a silly whittery.

[Phs. a dim. or freq. form of Eng. whit.]

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