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.
Quotation dates: 1808-1860, 1925-1941
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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.]
