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, v. [17th c. north. Eng. dial. (1684), also in the later dial. ? Onomatopoeic. Cf. Spang,n.2] a. intr. Of an arrow: To spring fra the bowstring. b. To spring, leap ouir, up. c. tr. To cause to spring, leap (up), to cast up.a. 1513 Doug. v ix 29.
Ȝong Hippocaon … A quhidderand arow leyt spang fra the stryng Towart the hevyn fast throu the ayr dyd thryng 1513 Doug. x iii 28.
The arrowys flaw spangand fra euery stryngb. 1596 Dalr. I 145/20.
Ȝoung men … ouir dykes and dubis … sould spang and leip 1596 Dalr. I 163/14.
King Gald selfe … spangis vpe on horse backc. 1513 Doug. xii vi 76.
Hys swift stedis hovys … Spangit vp the bludy sparkis our the bent 1662 Crim. Trials III 607.
We haw no bow to shoot with, but spang them [sc. elf-arrow-heads] from of the naillis of our thowmbes
