Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
YIRR, v., n., int. Also yerr. [jɪr]
I. v. 1. To snarl or growl, of or as a dog (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1974).Slg. 1804 “Transforthanus” Poems 83:
You yirr, you yowl, you bark — but darena bite!Ags. a.1823 G. Beattie John o' Arnha' (1883) 204:
The watch-dogs yirr'd and yowf'd wi' fright.Gsw. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lykewake 32:
The yirrin' collie bark't an' yelpit.Per. 1895–6 Royal Caled. Curling Club Annual 99:
Ilka brither blamed some ither Maist like to yirrin' dugs.
2. To make an outcry, to complain or fret persistently (Sh. 1974).Sc. 1812 The Scotchman 52:
He'll yerr an bark about the dearth o the meal.Edb. 1916 T. W. Paterson Wyse-Sayin's xxi. 13:
Whan, some day, he's yirrin an' yaumerin himsel.
II. n. The snarl or growl of a dog (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1974). Also fig.Lnk. 1893 T. Stewart Among the Miners 212:
When some curly wee cur in the ages tae come, Gied a challengin' yirr.Ags. 1988 Raymond Vettese The Richt Noise 19:
Scotland's aye the haflin but withooten yon yirr
that gars ilka hope eidently stir.
This is oor eemage, this kilted cratur
III. int. Imit. of a bark or snarl: gurr!Ayr. 1786 Burns To Major Logan ii.:
Yirr! fancy barks, awa' we canter.
