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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TAIVER, v.¹, n.¹ Also ta(e)ver; teever (Uls. 1953 Traynor). [′te:vər; Uls. + ′ti:vər]

I. v. 1. intr. To roam about aimlessly or idly (Sc. 1808 Jam., obs.); to dally, trifle, waste time (Slg., Lnk., Ayr. 1972).Sc. 1813 The Scotchman 120:
[He] had revealt the secrets o the Rockin to a bit lassie that he had been taverin wi.

2. To wander in mind or speech, to talk foolishly or incoherently, to rave (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Per. 1972); to become confused through weariness or exhaustion (Uls. 1953 Traynor).Rnf. 1813 G. MacIndoe Wandering Muse 51:
Your tongue begins to taver.Rnf. 1876 D. Gilmour Paisley Weavers 6:
I kenna hoo I hae sic patience with him when he tavers at een here.

3. tr. To annoy, vex, irritate (Uls. 1953 Traynor); to bewilder or confuse with much talk or questioning (Ib.); to lead astray.Kcb. 1861 R. Quinn Heather Lintie 19:
My head I fin' it only tavers The cause to seek oot o' their haivers.Edb. 1916 T. W. Paterson Wyse-Sayin's i. 19:
Their ain lives it'll be, that they'll taiver an' smoor in the lang-run.Per.⁴ 1950:
That question'll taiver him.

4. Freq. in derivs.: (1) ta(i)vert, bewildered, mentally confused or played out, esp. through exhaustion or harrassment (Sc. 1808 Jam.; wm.Sc. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1953 Traynor; Per., Slg., Fif. 1972), stupefied with drink; stupid, muddle-headed, slow- or half-witted (Sc. 1818 Sawers). Hence taivertness, stupidity, ¶taiverty, a stupid person; (2) taiversome, -sum, teever-, tedious, wearisome (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Uls. 1953 Traynor); annoying, vexatious (Traynor).(1) Ayr. 1822 Galt Entail lv.:
He's just silly, and tavert, and heedless.Ayr. 1833 J. Kennedy G. Chalmers 233:
Sarah, ye aul' taverty! whare are ye?Gsw. 1879 A. G. Murdoch Rhymes 55:
Shrunk in the shanks an' taiver't in the heid.Ayr. 1890 J. Service Notandums 73:
A taivert tawpie wi' her hair hingin' doon her back in pennyworths.Slg. 1898 W. Drysdale Old Faces 147:
Jock had got “taivert”, and was unable to do anything for a living.Kcb. 1904 Crockett Strong Mac. i.:
Though the shadow also grew upon his face — “tavert” was what the people called his aspect.Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. xii.:
Throwe taivertness an' blin'ness men understaun na this.Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 17:
Tammy's taivert phantasie.

II. n. In pl.: idle, foolish talk (Rnf. c.1920; Slg., Ayr. 1972).Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms xxxix. 12:
Be-na ye whush at my taivers.Ayr. 1895 H. Ochiltree Redburn x.:
I saw ye wanted to come wi' me, but my auntie wi' her taivers gansell'd ye oot o't.