Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLING, Kling, v. To shrink, contact e.g. as wood in drying (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., kling; Kcb.⁹ 1937; Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). More common in the pa.p. Clung, q.v. Also in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.). [klɪŋ]Sc. 1747 R. Maxwell Bee-Master 20:
Some make Covers like Barrels, with Ironhoops around them. These Covers cling, as we say, with the Summer's Drought.Bch. 1928 (per Abd.¹⁵):
The peats cling fin they're dry.