A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
S(c)hune, Schon(e, v. Also: schunne, shun(n, schwne, shown. [ME scunien (a1200), shunenn (Orm), schonyen (a1250), scone (Cursor M.), shon(en (14th c.), OE scunian.]
1. tr. To fear (a possible outcome). Const. clause object.a1400 Leg. S. iv 164.
The bukis all He brocht … And prayt hym to bryne tham sone. ‘Na,’ said he, ‘for that I schone The rek of thame suld noyus be
b. To be afraid or reluctant to do something.1375 Barb. v 201 (C).
Bot thai war schonand [E. skownrand] vounder sair Sa fer in Scotland for to fair
c. intr. To be afraid.c1420 Wynt. viii 6130.
Fra men saw this infortown Syndry can in thare hartis schwne [W. schone, C. soyne (= Sonȝe v.)]
2. tr. To avoid, shun (something regarded as undesirable or dangerous). With a non-material thing, event or action (const. infinitive complement) as object. Also ellipt.(1) 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 58.
He na les socht to be famous then uther men do schunne dishonour 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. xii 7.
Haist (sueit Jehova!) schune delay, My hynous sins redresse 1634 Bk. Carlaverock II 128.
[He] findis him very willing to schvne all contestatioun with ȝour lordship 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 167.
That we may schunne the neidles dispute of episcopacie 1678 Alyth Par. Ch. 131.
That so trouble may be showned in time coming 1684 Inverness Rec. II 321.
And that he did it to shune the penalty on him specifiet in the contract 1698 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 259.
Haveing fled from France to shun persecution(2) 1638 Jesuit's Creed in Bk. Pasquils (1827) iii 89.
He's bot an asse That schunnes the messe(3) 1645 Misc. Hist. Soc. I 127.
The Irische … offerit to joyne battell with our armie … quhilk thai wyselie schonit till the countrey wer gatherit to thair supplie 1674 Douglas Corr. 274.
How then can yow think that he … can shun to fulfill his fathers obleishments? 1685 Sinclair Satan's Inv. World (1871) 226 (see b below). 1691 Kirk Secr. Commonw. (1964) 218.
Men of the second sight … therefor usually shune to travell abroad at these four seasones of the year
b. With a place as object.c1590 Fowler I 169/4.
Euen as the painfull pylot … Perplexedlye drawes narr and shunns the cost 1685 Sinclair Satan's Inv. World (1871) 226.
He shunned to step over … Liberton-burn, but went about to shun it
