A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1438-1603
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(Pown), Powne, Poun(e n.1 Also: powin, povin. [OF poun, poon (12th c. in Wartburg), pauon, F. paon, whence Pawn(e n.1, L. pāvōn-.] A peacock.Also a representation of a peacock. ?1438 Alex. ii 5092.
On Venus chalmer he saw ane poune That with his tale [etc.] ?1438 Ib. 5988.
At thare dynere Thay had ane poun, with danteis sere ?1438 Ib. 6861. c1450-2 Howlat 614 (A).
In thair tymeralis … thai bere The plesand povne c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 8840.
Sa it befell that Porrus alanerlie … Saw sittand pownys on Venus chalmer nuke c1460 Ib. 8855.
He … drew … And hitt the powin apoun the hede al richt c1460 Ib. 8867.
Powne 1513 Doug. xii Prol. 161.
The pantyt povn … Yschrowdyt in hys fedrame brycht and scheyn Schalpand the prent of Argus hundreth eyn 1533 Treasurer's Accounts VI 97.
For the feding of ij crannis and the povins in the castell of Striveling c1552 Lynd. Mon. 188.
The plesand powne [v.r. pawne] prunȝeand his feddrem fair 15.. Clariodusv 1093.
Scho avowit … Unto the powne that set was on the tabill [etc.] 15.. Ib. iv 817, etc.
Poune a1568 Scott ii 75.
William his vow plicht to the powin [:fowne, stowin (= stolen), growin] a1578 Pitsc. I 337/5.
Pertrick and plever, duke, brissil cok and powins [v.rr. pownis, pawnies] a1603 Anc. Prophecies 33.
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"Pown n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/pown_n_1>
