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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ENTER, v. Sc. usages.

1. intr. To commence, begin work (esp. of harvest) (Abd.²⁹, Ags.¹⁹, Knr.¹, m.Lth.¹, Uls.⁴ 1950); tr. to put (someone) to work; to enrol, admit (to a school, etc.).Lnk. 1713 in W. Grossart Par. of Shotts (1880) 239:
Every bairne that the colliers' wifes bears gets ane load of coal when the mother enter to that work, which is called the entrie load.Abd. 1765 Abd. Journal. (29 July):
Henceforth the time of entering Boys to the Grammar School will be on the First of November.Abd. 1813 in Buchan Obs. (13 March 1951):
Yesterday Robert Massie entered for summer half year 8 days after term — his wages £4 15/- with washing, or £5 without washing.Sc. 1887 Jam.⁶:
We'll enter the men on the ditch the morn.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 86:
Noo, Tam, thou's enter at the term, Be sure and come at ony fee.

Hence enterin(g), ppl.adj., of weather: propitious, suitable for work, esp. in phr. enterin(g) mornin(g) (Bnff.², Abd.⁹ 1943).Abd. 1875 W. Alexander My ain Folk 67:
For fa ees't to be first o' the feedles gin screik o' day fan there was the chance o' an enterin' mornin' . . . but Skellie.Abd. 1928 Abd. Press and Jnl. (8 Nov.) 6/4:
I wis some thinkin' gin it wis an enterin' mornin' I wid tak' up the tatties the morn.Abd. 1949 Buchan Observer (30 Aug.):
As work usually started at seven o'clock on an “entering” morning.

†2. Sc. law. Of a feudal superior: to acknowledge formally as a vassal, gen. in pass. to be entered (with a superior). See also Entry.Sc. 1712 Morison Decisions 15034:
Andrew Skeen having purchased the lands of Hilton by a decreet of sale, disponed a part thereof to the Master of the Church and Bridge-Work of Aberdeen, who charged the Masters of the King's College to enter him.Sc. 1804 Ib. 15040:
The heir of a vassal is entitled to be entered as such, on payment of the duplicando or other composition exigible from an heir.Sc. 1890 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 401:
The person whom the superior is obliged so to enter is the heir pointed out by the original investiture.Sc. 1929 Gsw. Herald (27 Dec.) 3/6:
But it was not always the case that the purchaser was desirous of being entered with the superior, as it was called; that is to say, accepted or acknowledged as the new vassal.

3. Phrs.: (1) to enter apo', of clothing: to go on, fit; (2) to enter the law, to litigate.(1) Sh. 1898 Sh. News (18 June):
Jimp i' da barn for da auld büits, alto' I faer, deil bit o' dem 'ill enter apo' me feet. Dey'll be dat wye harn'd be dis time.(2) Abd. 1867 W. Anderson Rhymes 67:
Their stack-yard took fire, and to perfect the curse My gran'father enters the law.