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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

ROUND ABOUT, n. Also roun', roon(d); -aboot. Sc. forms and usages. [′runəbut]

1. A circular fort or earthwork of early or pre-historic date (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ayr., Rxb. 1968). Also in local Eng. usage.Rxb. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XVI. 84:
There are a great many round-abouts in the parish, commonly called Picts Works. They are all circular, and strongly fortified by a wall, composed of large stones.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary i.:
Aided by his desire of showing his companion a Pict's camp, or Round-about.

2. A circular roll baked of coarse flour; a circular oatcake pinched all round with the finger and thumb (Sc. 1825 Jam.; Bnff. 1968).Sc. 1706 J. Watson Choice Coll. i. 23:
For Rolls, for Nacketts, Roundabouts, Sour Cakes.Sc. 1763 Boswell London Jnl. (1950) 216:
They were leaving all the significance and splendour and gaiety of the Metropolis, and were gaein down to Halkerston's Wynd and wigs and roundabouts.Edb. 1825 R. Chambers Traditions II. 54:
A woman — in by-gone times, kept a little stall at the head of the Old Fishmarket Close, and sold such savoury morsels from a dripping-pan, accompanied by a species of roll called bawbee roundabouts, baked of coarse flour, and resembling what are now known among the boys of Edinburgh by the name of halfpenny scones.

3. A hearth or fireplace which is situated in the middle of a floor with room for seats all round it. Also comb. round-about fireside.Peb. 1802 C. Findlater Agric. Peb. 40:
The round-about fire side . . . was universally in use in the kitchen; that is, a circular grate placed upon the floor about the middle of the kitchen, with a frame of lath and plaster, or spars and mats, suspended over it . . . like an inverted funnel, for conveying the smoke; the whole family sitting round the fire within the circumference of the inverted funnel.