A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1589-1609
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Harkner, n. [e.m.E. (1580); f. Harkinv.] a. A listener, an eavesdropper. b. A whisperer, a scandal-monger. (Cf. Hark v. 2.) — 1589 St. A. Kirk S. 652.
That the counsalhous dor and wyndowis be kepit fra harkneris thairat — 1604-9 Grahame Anat. Hum. 42.
Woe be to seditious tail-tellers, to leying lippes, to harkners and rounders
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"Harkner n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/harkner>
