Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
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.
DON, n.1 Sc. extensions of Eng. don, an important person, a clever fellow.
1. “A favourite, an intimate friend” (Sc. 1808 Jam.); a lively, popular person (Abd.27 1949).Abd. 1900 E.D.D.:
Used at school of a boy who is a leading spirit, or great favourite. “Our Tom's jist the rarest don ye ever saw.”
2. The dux of a class.Edb. 1898 J. Baillie Walter Crighton 169:
Do you mind when he got the lick on the lug fur trying to dodge frae douchie to don to get off wi' his turn in Billy's?
3. An early blue-skinned round variety of potato
(Lth. 1855 H. Stephen Bk. of Farm I. 636).Ayr. 1840 Carrick Anthol. (Finlayson 1925) 226:
Buying Dons frae them neist winter. Fif. 1873 J. Wood Ceres Races 2:
Pork, Cabbage, Leeks, an' grawnd Blue-dons.
