Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TIRN, adj. Also tirran, tirren (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), tirrn, terran. [′tɪr(ə)n] Of an irritable, cantankerous, irascible disposition, cross, bad-tempered, angry (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 96, Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., tirran; Sh. 1972); headstrong (Ork. 1929 Marw., terran); outrageous; of weather: threatening, gloomy. Also adv.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 75:
Hid wus a terran sight.Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 247:
She wis awfil tirren dat day.Sh. 1899 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd (1922) 141:
Lass, what spak doo sae tirrn ta Aandrew for?Sh. 1915 Shetland News (21 Oct.):
He was a fine momen still, bit he was odious tirn lyukin i da aest.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 107:
A giant gyaan ta houve him across da Soond at som een he wis tirn wi.

Comb. and derivs.: 1. tirran spreet, a cross bad-tempered person, esp. a child (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.). See Spreit, 2.; 2. tirnness, rage, anger, strong displeasure (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); 3. tirnrie, id. (Sh. 1972); 4. tairensie, taerincy, tearansi, -y, id., fury, violent behaviour (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.).3. Sh. 1964 Nordern Lichts 14:
Da grit seas dunned wi tirnrie.4. Sh. 1896 J. Burgess Lowra Biglan's Mutch 54:
He can't touch a scaar of dram without Kirstie gettin' into a taerincy 'at's most fairfil.