Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡SMACHER, v., n. Also smachir, †smaicher. [′smɑxər]

†I. v. 1. To crowd together, to huddle, jostle.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169:
The bairns cam a' smachirin roon the door.

2. To smear, plaster, daub.Ags. 1866 R. Leighton Poems 32:
[He] smachers the snuff frae his mou' to his een.

3. To eat in a secretive way, to nibble at, munch unobtrusively (Ags. 1808 Jam., smaicher; Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169, smachir; Kcd. 1970).Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 83:
Smaicherin' awa at lean and fat.

‡II. n. A large number, a confused crowd, a confused mass or mixture (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 169, Bnff. 1970).Gregor:
The gairden is an unco smachir o' stanes.