Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
COUNGER, Coonjer, Counjer, Kounger, Coungeir, Cunger, Cunjel, v. and n. [′kun(d)ʒər, ′kʌn(d)ʒər Sc., but Rxb. + ′kʌn(d)ʒəl]
I. v.
1. To beat, “give a drubbing to” (Clydes., Rxb. 1825 Jam.2; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Vbl.n. coonjerin', cungerin', cunjellin' (rare, see Watson Intro. § 11 (g)), a drubbing (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
2. (1) “To keep under; to keep in order (gen. applied to a child or a dog)” (Abd.6 1913), “to snub” (Sc.1911 S.D.D., kounger; Bnff.4 1927); to scold. Vbl.n. coonjerin, a scolding (Ayr.3 1910).Bnff.2 1941:
Fan that dog pits up his birse he's nae that easy coungert.Lnk. 1860 W. Watt Poems 230:
In days o' yore I was respeckit, But now I'm coungeir'd and neglecket.
(2) “To overawe” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); “to intimidate or still by threatening” (Clydes. 1825 Jam.2, counjer). Also fig. Known to Bnff.2 1937.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 54:
His bare appearance coungert a'; Yet he wis liket baith by grite an' sma'.Rxb. 1808 A. Scott Poems 69:
Around him counger'd a' his foes Wi' daring swither.Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 14:
The grewsome gaishener ov a geizart, i the girnin Daith's Heed, coonjert wui its moween an its skeeletin-maigs aa the braw folk wheegin an dancin.
II. n. In pl.: “a scolding” (Clydes., Rxb. 1825 Jam.2; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., coonjers, obs.).
[Cf. Nhb. dial. counge, to beat (E.D.D.); Fr. cogner, to drive in by knocking, colloq. to strike someone with the fists, etc., O.Fr. coigner, to drive hard, knock fast in, as with a wedge (Cotgrave), pop. Lat. *cuniare, to split by striking on a corner.]
