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: 1749-1894
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‡ELDERN, adj. Also eld(e)ren, eld(e)rin, eldering, eildren, -ron; †eldron (Dmb. 1777 Weekly Mag. (3 July) 20). [′ɛld(ə)r(ə)n]
1. Elderly, advanced in years (Sc. 1840 G. Webster Ingliston xxx.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Sh.10 1950, obs.).Sc. 1749 Session Papers, Lindsay v. Muir State of Process 4:
Two of the Mares were eldering.Sc. 1765 T. Percy Reliques (1775) I. 79:
Up and spak an eldern knicht, Sat at the kings richt kne.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 61:
Colen an' Lindy, Bydby says they're ca'd, The ane an elderen man, the neist a lad.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 181:
The garse, like beards o' eldren gaits, Hang, waivan, shaggy, frae the pates.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxxiv.:
It's a pity his Excellency is a thought eldern. The like o' yoursell, or my son . . . Hamish, wad be mair sortable in point of years.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck II. 43:
There was the Brownie o' Bodsbeck . . . wi' its eildron form and grey beard, standin at the bed side.Lnk. 1863 J. Hamilton Poems 37:
A douce aul' farrant eldrin chiel.Edb. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick iv.:
He's an eldrin man noo' an' gettin gey doitit.
2. Ancient; of long ago.Ayr. 1862 J. Baxter The Kirn, etc. 82:
O' gladsome friens o' the eildren time.Gsw. 1872 J. Young Lochlomond Side 96:
O couthie Scotland, mither dear, Thy eldren customs I revere.
