Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TRUAN, n. Also trooan, -en (Lnk. 1890 N. Coghill Poems 84); trowan (Gsw. 1878 W. Penman Echoes 26), -en; truint (Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 134); trone (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 452, Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 157; Per. 1973). A trowel, as used by gardeners or masons (Sc. 1825 Jam., trowen; Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 272; Sh., em.Sc.(a), Dmb., Rxb. 1973); a float for smoothing cement or plaster (Fif., Dmb. 1973). [′truən]Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 38:
The De'il being naething but a cowan, To make him free o' plumb an' trowan.Gsw. 1862 J. Gardner Jottiana 87:
An' then the lines at jints o' stanes The pint o' trowen smoothly planes.Ags. 1893 F. Mackenzie Cruisie Sk. xvi.:
Your hat's i' the boddam o' the lade there wi' my trooan in the croon o't.Sc. 1991 John McDonald in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 90:
whaur yince, the breid o life wis broken
fir an untholeable luve;
whaur, yince again, chiels pit bye net an truan,
heuk an hemmer; tae gether ablow a licht -
that micht hae been anither birth.