Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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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.

AN, adv. Heard in some districts for than = then. [ɑn]

1. Of time.Abd. 1993:
Fit did e dee an?Bch.(D) 1926 P. Giles in Abd. Univ. Rev. (March) 111:
There's been a gey curn craps o' ae kin' an' anidder sin' an'.Bch.(D) 1930 P. Giles in Abd. Univ. Rev. (March) 103:
Ye wiz a strong chiel 'an.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 18:
'An — Used frequently for than — then. (Used as n.)

2. Of manner = else, in phr. or 'an, or else. (See Than.)Bnff.² 1931:
Come awa' t' yir brakfast eynoo or an' yir porritch'll be caul.Bch.(D) 1926 P. Giles in Abd. Univ. Rev. (March) 115:
Ye ungratefu' vratch, ye can waid oot o' this yoursel' or 'an droon.