A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1494-1586
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Dans, Dance, n. Also: danse, dauns, daunce. [ME. dauns(e, daunce (c 1300), dance, OF. danse, dance.] Dancing; a dance. Also fig.(a) a1500 Henr. Fab. 1597 (B).
Fals fortoun, quhilk of all varians Is haill maistres, and leder of the dans 1494 Treasurer's Accounts I. 233.
Gevin to Pringill … for a liffray to mak a dans again Vphaly day 1507 Ib. III. 362.
To Colin Campbell, … in recompensation of ane dans maid be him 1513 Doug. xii. Prol. 192.
Sum sang ryng sangis, dansys ledys, and rovndis 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 66/13.
Dansand base dansis 1558-66 Knox II. 368.
In this danse the Quene chosed Chattelett(b) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 511.
Thus draif thai our that deir night, with danceis full noble 1549 Complaynte of Scotland 66/24.
Thai dancit al cristyn mennis dance, … the gosseps dance, … the dede dance [etc.] (a1570-86 Dunb.) Maitland Folio MS xi. 6.
Me thocht amang the feyndis fell The Devyll gart cry a daunce
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"Dans n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/dans_n>
