Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
BAN, BANN, v., tr. and intr.
1. tr. (1) To vow, to promise with oath(s).Sc. 1721 Ramsay Poems 295:
He aw'd a Mends, and that he tell'd him, And bann'd to do't.
(2) To curse.Bnff.(D) 1927 E. S. Rae Hansel fae Hame 56:
I ban the win' that bruk my tree.Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxviii.:
The pooder was oot immedantly; an' Patie bann't's sister fat was her bisness.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web 4:
"Dammit tae Hell, I kent yon wad happen!" the fairmer banned, kinnlin anither fag an tossin the deid spunk doon in the strae fleer o the park tae crush it aneth the tacketty buits he ay wore day in, day oot.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 35:
They'll ban fu' sair the time That e'er they toutit aff the horn Which wambles thro' their weym. ellipt.: to ask, with a curse.
(3) To scold.Lnk. 1832 W. Motherwell Poems 185:
My father says I'm in a pet, my mither jeers at me, And bans me for a dautit wean.
2. intr.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
“To curse and b[ann],” to swear vigorously.Slg. 1726 Extrs. from Rec. of Shoemakers' Incorp. of Slg. in Slg. Arch. Soc. (1924) 41:
Fined 40s. for “banen before the tred” and 40s. for “abouesen the Deckon.”
