A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Norn, n. and a. Also: Nornn, Nourne; and Norns. [ON. norrœ́na n. the Norwegian language, norrœ́nn a. northern, Norwegian. Cf. also Northin.] Norse, Norwegian, esp. as applied to the old native language of Orkney and Shetland. a. noun. b. adj. (See also Nords, Norish, Nors(e.)a. 1485 Orkney & Shetl. Rec. I. 55.
This letter in Nornn 1633 (1711) Sibbald's Orkn. & Shetl. 16.
Many of them are descended from the Norvegians, and speak a Norse tongue, corrupted, (they call Norn) amongst themselves Ib. 32. c1650-1700 Descr. Zetland 4 (see Nords).b. ?1549 Monro W. Isles (1961) 50.
This ile … sould be called Deray … from the deiris in Norn leid 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. V. 545.
Scho aundit in bitt quhilk is ane Nourne terme and to [be] exponit into right longuag is alse mikill as scho did blaw hir breath thairin Ib. 552.
