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, v.3, adj., n.2
1. v. To loiter, to delay, to linger (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 185; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). Pa.t. drung.Sc.(E) 1935 W. Soutar Poems 49:
Whaur yet the onding drung in dubs Abüne the clappit clay.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 170:
The poor bodies may rin, They may hing, the[y] may dring.Dwn. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 70:
Gae busk yeirsel', an' come awa', An' dinna sit here dringin'.Ant. 1892 Ballymena Obs.:
Come on, what are you dringm there for?
Comb.: dring-tail, (1) a tabu-name for a cat (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); (2) the otter (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); cf. drillaskøvi, s.v. Drill, v.2
2. adj. Slow, dilatory, slow-acting.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 88:
I'll wad her cuintray fouk sall no be dring In seeking her, and gar us sadly rew.Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherd in MS. Wks. III. 114:
We'll seek no Doctors nor their dring receipts They're only surest to increase fouks debts.
3. n. A lazy, indolent person (Ant. a.1873 F. Grose MS. Add.; Uls.3 1930).Lnk. 1799 J. Struthers Poet. Wks. (1850) II. 203:
The captive o' some dudron dring Dull, fat an' frowsy.
