Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
FLOAN, v., n. Also flon(e). [flo:n]
I. v. 1. Absol. and with on: to show affection (for), esp. in a silly, sloppy way and gen. of a woman towards men (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); to fawn (Abd.7 1925; Abd.27 1952).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 11:
An, for the geeglits that gae to the glen, An' night an' day are floaning o' the men.Bnff. 1949 per Abd.27:
It's ill-faurt tae floan afore folk.
2. To lounge, recline lazily, to loaf (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 49; Mry. 1916 T.S.D.C. II., flon; ne.Sc. 1952); to hang over the fire idly, to lean upon her lover, of a woman (Gregor).
II. n. 1. A lying-down, reclining, a short rest (ne.Sc. 1952).Abd. 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 57:
Geordie (stodgin intae the chaumar at the neepor toon an' seein Tam takin a flone).
†2. A lazy, untidy person, esp. a woman (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 49).
[Prob. of Scand. orig. Cf. Norw., Sw. dial. flana, Dan. flane, to gad about, to be flighty or frivolous, of a woman, a coquette. For the rounding of the vowel, cf. P.L.D. § 133.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Floan v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 26 Nov 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/floan>
