Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1790-1871
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BLAIN, n.1 Given as obsol. for Rxb. by Watson W.-B. (1923).
1. lit. “A scar, a sore; mark left on the skin by a sore or wound” (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff.2, Abd.2, Abd.22 1934).Ayr. 1790 A. Tait Poems and Songs 199:
Got skilly fouk to look the blains If he wad fever.Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of the Lairds 30:
I was persecuted like a martyr — the blains o' Dominie Skelp's tawse ye may yet discern by an inspection.
2. fig. A fault, a blemish.Sc.(E) 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms xix. 12:
Quhyt ye me frae benmaist blains. [Cleanse thou me from secret faults. A.V.]
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"Blain n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Nov 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/blain_n1>
