Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Girning, vbl. n. Also: gyrn-, girnyng, girneing. [f. Girn v.¹ Also in e.m.E. (1580).] Showing the teeth, snarling. 1375 Barb. xiii. 157.
With sic thrawing and sic thristing, Sic gyrnyng, granyng, and so gret A noyis c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matt. viii. 12.
Thare salbe weping and girnyng of tethe 1528 Lynd. Dreme 224.
With cairfull cryis, girnyng, and greityng c1590 Fowler I. 325, xiv/4.
He was … Nor wood, nor mad, … no girning in his face 1662 Soc. Ant. XXII. 257.
He recovered of his girneing and foaming at the mouth