Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCENE, n. Also sain (Per., Fif. 1915–26 Wilson. Cf. P.L.D. § 88); †schen, shane; shean (Per. 1709 W. Fraser Red Bk. Grandtully (1868) II. 298). Sc. forms and usages. [‡sen; †ʃen. See S, letter, 6.]

1. As in Eng.Rs. 1722 W. MacGill Old Ross-shire (1911) II. 30:
The imaginary nymphs and naiads that inhabite silvan schens.Inv. 1744 Steuart Letter-Bk. (S.H.S.) 450:
So great a schen of Mortality and Distress.e.Lth. c.1800 in Early Life Carlyle (Froude) viii.:
Now we will go back by so and so, to vahery the shane.Fif. 1991 Tom Hubbard in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 143:
Why suid my een, aye vieve efter the years
o cruellest sains o fechtin, cryne fae this sicht?

2. A ludicrous object, a “sight”.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Sic a sain hei lookit!