Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

KAAV(IE), v., n. Also kaavi (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.), kav(a), kavi (Jak.). [′ka:vi]

I. v. Of snow: to fall heavily and in drifts (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., kaav, 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1959).Sh. 1931 Shetland Times (14 March) 7:
Da snaa an' hail kaavie'n is tik is da pea-soup.

II. n. A heavy fall of snow, a blizzard (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., Sh. 1959). Cf. Cavaburd, Moor cavie. Also occas. of heavy, driving rain (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh.³ 1939:
He's juist a proper kaavie.