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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

Quotation dates: 1929

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BAWNS, BAWNIS, n. [bɔns, bɔnz, ′bǫn(ɪ)z]

1. An uproar, fuss.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
What a b[awns] he was in, aboot nothing.

2. A person full of wicked tricks.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He was just a perfect b[awnis] o' ill-tricks.

[Cf. Sh. bons, a strong tide (Jak.), Norse bunsa, to drive violently; L.Ger. bunsen, Du. bonzen, to beat, and Mod.Eng. bounce.]

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