Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BACK-GAEN, -GANE, -GAUN, ppl.adj. [′bɑk′geən, ′bɑk′gɑən]
(1) Of persons and animals: not thriving.ne.Sc. 1884 D. Grant Chron. of Keckleton (1888) 126:
Gin ony o' the sma' fairmers or crafters roon aboot had back-gaen stock they jist gae John Cooper a bargain o' them.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 64:
You and I endow'd Our hospitals for back-gaun burghers gude.Edb. 1798 D. Crawford Poems 5:
Ye may be sure this did me fyke . . . An' sent me to Edina Town, Just like anither back-gane lown.Gall. 1912 N. Lebour in Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 241:
Ae mornin' a wee body cam' tae the door an' asked me if I could give her a wee drap o' milk for a back-gane wean.
(2) Of a market: when prices are declining.Abd.(D) 1875 W. Alexander Life Among my Ain Folk (1882) 121:
Wi' the fu' han' in a backgaen market, Sawney begood to fin' oot that he had wun to the en' o' 's tether.
