Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AT, adv.² Similar in meaning to adv.¹ but expressing rather energetic than continuous action.

(1) To set to work hard on some labour.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was layan at for a' he was worth.

(2) To become stronger after an illness.Ib.:
He'll come at yet.

(3) To acquire proficiency in something (Marw.). Cf. At, prep. 10. Bnff.² “These three uses are also known in Fetlar” (Sh.⁴).

(4) Used in the same way as the Sc. suffix -ward(s) and the adv. on or up.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Nort' at, in a northerly direction.Ib.:
Tak' her at! after landing: pull the boat up a little.