Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MAA, v., n. [mɑ:]
I. v. Of a sheep, lamb or goat: to utter its distinctive cry, to bleat, to baa (Sc. 1903 E.D.D.). Gen.Sc. Hence sheepie-maa, a child's name for a sheep (Abd. 1962).Lnk. 1886 J. Stewart Twa Elders 147:
The boys would maa and bleat (to a goat).Lnk. 1897 J. Wright Scenes Sc. Life 28:
The lammies maain' on the hill.
II. n. The cry of a sheep, lamb or goat; a bleat, a baa (Sc. 1903 E.D.D.; Abd. 1962).
[Imit. Cf. Eng. baa. See also Mae.]
