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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CA, CAA, KAA, CAW, n.⁴ and v.³ [kɑ:, kǫ: m.Sc.; kɒ: s.Sc.]

1. n. A calf. Known to Abd.²² 1938. Fig., a soft, foolish person; given as obs. by Rxb.² 1919.Pl. Comb. ca'es neuk, a corner in an Ork. farmhouse where a young calf was reared.Ork. 1894 W. R. Mackintosh Peat-fires 195: 
A wall, called the "cattie wa'", separated the "ca'es neuk" from between the doors.Rnf. 1816 A. Wilson Poems 188:
Then Clootie, shaped like a burd, Flew down, as big's a twomont Ca, And clinket Eppie's wheel awa'.Rxb. 1825 Jam.²:
Ye silly ca'. Pl. forms: caa's, kaaz (Cai. 1919 T.S.D.C. III.), ca'es (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 107), caws (s.Rxb. c.1920 (per e.Dmf.²)).Per. 1933 I.R. in Scotsman (6 Jan.):
Our farm folk speak of their “caa's” (calves).

2. v. To calve. Caed = calved, also known to MacTaggart for Gall. (1824).Ayr. 1785 Burns Second Ep. J. Lapraik (1786) i.:
While new-ca'd kye rowte at the stake.Ayr. 1912 D. M'Naught Kilmaurs Par. and Burgh 299:
“A new ca'd coo,” in Ayrshire has but one meaning — “newly calved” — and no other.