Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AFFGAUN, adj. and n. (Also in the forms: affgaain', aff-gan, afga'in, affgoing.) (See also Offgoing.)

1. adj. (1) Of a tenant: Outgoing, leaving.Bnff.² 1928:
Affgain' (affgyain').

(2) Worse for wear. (Cf. 2. n. (1) last ex.)Ork.(D) 1880 W. T. Dennison Orc. Sk. Bk. 52:
Hinegreenie's boat wus auld, shakan' an' lakan', an' a' his boat graith auld an' aff-gan.

2. n. (1) Departure; fading away; death.Sc. 1911 S.D.D.:
Aff-going, departure; death.Abd.⁹ 1931:
Affga'in, death.Ags. 1993 Mary McIntosh in Joy Hendry Chapman 74-5 112:
He hearkened tae the kirk bells dingin oot the auld year. Guid bluidy affgaun this.Ayr.⁵ 1931:
Affgoing, withering.

(2) Start, outset. (See also Affgo, Offgo.)Sh.⁴ 1931:
I' da affgaain dey brook a oar.Lnk. 1885 Gordon Pyotshaw 117:
It wad fit him better tae mak' awa' wi' that d — d fower-in-hand, at the first aff-gaun.