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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1766-1767, 1887-1947

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CRAN, Crane, n.1 and v.1 [krɑn]

1. n.

(1) The heron, Ardea cinerea (Sc. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 145, crane, 1887 Jam.6; Abd.27 1925; Dmf. 1910 Gladstone Birds Dmfsh. 225, crane).Sc. a.1767 M. Bruce Poems (1837) 198:
The slow-winged crane mov'd heavily o'er the lee.

Comb.: cran-craig(ie), “one who has a long slender neck” (w.Sc. 1887 Jam.6); also used attrib.w.Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
That cran-craigie beast cou'd never ca' coals.

(2) The swift, Cypselus apus (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 236; Bwk. 1880 Proc. Bwk. Nat. Club 230, 1911 A. H. Evans Fauna Tweed Area; Ayr.4 1928; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also cran(e) swallow, id. (e.Lth. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 96).

2. v. To stretch the neck in straining to hear (Bnff.2 1940); to eavesdrop.Abd.(D) 1916 G. Abel Wylins 25:
Noo I'm near my hinmost sleep, Cranin' maist for voiees deep.Abd.27 1947:
I got her crannin' at the door.

[O.Sc. has cran = a crane (the bird), from c.1420 (D.O.S.T.); Mid.Eng. and O.E. cran, id. The v. is an extension of Eng. crane, to stretch the neck, from 1799.]

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