Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

(Tan,) v. P.p. tannyt, tainned, tawnd. [Late ME and e.m.E. tanned p.p. (14 … ), tanne (1530), tand p.p. (Spenser), tan (1601), OF tan(n)er, med. L. tannare.] tr. Only in passive: a. (Of a hide) Converted into leather by being steeped in tan. b. transf. (Of a child, or its skin) Thrashed, soundly beaten. —a. c1420 Bute MS 170b.
Of ane or twa hydys tannyt at the oute passyng 1657 Balfour Ann. II 79.
The first tanning of lether in Scotland begane this ȝeire [sc. 1620] by his maiesties especiall directione. The tainned lether … wes ordained to be sealled; and eache hyde so tainned … shall pay foure shillings [etc.] —b. 1587-99 Hume 43/65.
The wise and louing father … layes on the byting wand, Quhill tawnd with strypes, the tender child, … cryes … Gods mercie