Sc. and dial. Forms: see the vb. [f. WHITHER v.] A violent or impetuous movement, a rush; an attack, onset; a smart blow or stroke; a blast or gust of wind; a quivering movement, a tremble; a rushing or whizzing sound; fig. an access or attack of illness.
c. 1480. Henryson, Pract. Medecyne, 55. Þat ȝe tak sevin sobbis of ane selche, the quhidder of ane quhaill.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, V. x. 62. Than ran thai sammyn in paris with a quhiddir. Ibid., VI. v. 85. Quham … Saland from Troy … The deidlie storm ourquhelmit with a quhiddir.
1791. J. Learmont, Poems, 82 (E. D. D.).
| An’ few can tent, until his dart | |
| Hits ane a whuther. |
1808. Jamieson, s.v. Quhidder, A quhither of the cauld, a slight cold.
1825. Brockett, N. C. Gloss., s.v. Whidder, A whither of cold, a shivering cold. ‘All in a whither,’—all in a tremble.
1887. Jesse M. E. Saxby, Lads of Lunda, Running Free, vii. 148. ‘Tak’ pace till the whidders dill awa’ (be patient till the gusts of wind quiet down…).
Whither sb.2: see WHITHER adv. 6.
