A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Spang, n.2 Also: spange. [f. or f. as Spang,v. Also in the later north. Eng. and Sc. dials.] A sharp, powerful or jerky movement, the noise accompanying this; a rap or fillip. —1513 Doug. v ix 60.
Acestes … Schawand hys craft, and hys byg bowys mycht, That lowsyt of the takill with a spang [L. arcumque sonantem] 1513 Doug. vii viii 50.
The flane flaw fast with a spang [L. sonitu] fra the stryng 1570 Misc. Bann. C. I 39.
Ilke guidfellow may gat a lumpe of thair landis which will gare them feght lyke swyne; and vthir men wilbe suire of the spange of thair taill 1595 Duncan App. Etym.
Talitrum, a spang, a chicknawd 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 253.
The king … dang out his eye with the spang of ane cocle-shell
