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.
†ERN, Urn, I. v. To pain, torture; of the eye: to cause to water, to smart (Ags. 1808 Jam., urn; Abd. 1825 Jam.2, ern). Hence phr. nae sae muckle as would ern your ee, only the least bit or smallest particle; “sometimes equivalent to, not a drop” (Abd. 1825 Jam.2).
II. n. A speck in the eye, a mere trifle.Arg. 1905 Arg. Herald (11 March):
I didna care an urn Hoo the warld sat if I was at the auld Witchburn.
