Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1822, 1902-1936
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RAVE, n. Also Sc. form reave. Sc. usages:
1. One who talks volubly and nonsensically, a "wind-bag" (Slg., Fif., w.Lth., Lnk., sm.Sc. 1967).Lnk. 1902 A. Wardrop Hamely Sk. 9:
Oor Peggie alleges . . . that it's perfectly useless on my pairt tae trouble ye. Firstly, because I'm an auld rave; secondly, naebody's fit tae read my writin'.Kcb.2 1933:
To rave, as I have always understood it, is to talk in a loose and irresponsible fashion, hence the expression "she's a perfect rave."Sc. 1936 Scots Mag. (Oct.) 64:
Cheered, Norah nudged his ribs and told him he was a rave.
2. A vague rumour, an unlikely story (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff. 1882 Francisque-Michel Lang. 387).Ags. 1822 A. Balfour Farmers' Three Daughters III. 215:
I've heard naething but the reave o' the kintra, an' ye ken that's na the thing that ane can depend upon.
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"Rave n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/rave_n>
