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.
Quotation dates: 1819, 1875-1897
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†YAW, v.2 Also yauw. To cry like a cat, to mew, caterwaul (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.); to squeal, whine (Slk. Ib.).Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick I. xi.:
Yawin like a wheen wulcats.Bwk. 1875 W. Brockie Leaderside Legends 25:
A better bairn ye coudna see; it never yawd an' grat.Rxb. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws vii.:
Skirling and scrauching and yawing like a wull-cat.
