Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1864, 1925
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CLUNG, Klung, v., pa.p. and ppl. adj. Arch. or dial. in Eng. See Cling, v. [klʌŋ]
1. pa.p. Become contracted, dried up (Bnff.2 1936).Ags. 1790 D. Morison Poems 98:
Thy kyte has clung, like ony ditch, Wi' purging fair.
2. ppl.adj.
(1) Shrivelled, contracted through the action of heat, disease, etc.; lean, thin (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., klung); “of woodwork: shrunk, as after being fixed up when imperfectly dried” (ne.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Abd.15 1925:
She wis leukin fell clung fin Aw saw her: Aw'm sweer te think she wis i the wye [pregnant].
(2) Shrunken with hunger, hungry (Bnff.2, Abd.19, Fif.10 1936). Superl. clungest.Abd. [1768] J. Beattie Address ii. in A. Ross Helenore (1778):
O mayst thou ne'er gang clung or shabby, Nor miss thy snaker.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 209:
Some landit up at Tullilum Wi' stammachs clung and clappit.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto Tammas Bodkin xx.:
Ye'll tak' a bite o' breakfast wi' us, for after comin' sae lang a gait, ye maun be clung by noo.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 43:
The lads in order tak their seat, (The de'il may claw the clungest).Rnf. 1807 R. Tannahill Poems and Songs 169:
Sae the deil fill his kyte wha gaes clung frae the meeting.
