ˈwittering, vbl. n. Sc. and north.
Also 4 wit(e)ring, -iring, Sc. vittering, -yng.
[f. witter v. + -ing1.]
Information, cognizance; mod. dial. a sign, token (cf. witter n.1 1), a hint.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 21583 Þat godd suld send hir witering [Gött. witring] sun, Quat he o þat cros wald ha don. 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 342 Iames of Douglas of thare cummyng..had vittering. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. i. 411 Noe first send furþ þe rawin Till get wittering and knawlege Gif þat þe flud begouth to suage. 1513 Douglas æneis iv. iv. 79 And of thair cupling wittering schew the air. 17.. Broomfield Hill viii. in Child Ballads I. 394 That was to be wittering true That maiden she had gane. 1781 J. Hutton Tour to Caves (E.D.S.), Wittering, an hint. 1828 Craven Gloss., Wittering, a hint, a secret report. 1876 Mid-Yorks. Gloss. s.v., I got a wittering o' 't from him. |