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.
‡DRING, Dringe, v.1, n.1 [drɪŋ]
1. v. To sing in a slow, droning fashion, esp. of a kettle before boiling.Sc. 1724–27 Ramsay T. T. Misc. (1733) I. Dedic. iv.:
While kettles dringe on ingles dour, Or clashes stay the lazy lass.Abd. 1809 J. Skinner Amusements 56:
What needs there be sae great a fraise Wi' dringing dull Italian lays.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 112:
Richt glad his fire-hung pat to hear Singin' and dringin'.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 31:
Those denty fallows, wha screech awa' like stabbit grunters at dringing solos.
2. n. “The noise of a kettle before it boils” (Sc. 1808 Jam.).
[Prob. onomat.]
