Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FOON, n., adj. [fu:n]

I. n. A few, a small amount, a little (Sh.¹¹ 1952). Freq. with peerie. Also in quasi-dim. form foonder, a very small amount (Id.).Sh. 1862 Shet. Advert. (6 Oct.):
Maybe when da nichts turn lang I'll gie dee a foon o what I saw dere.Sh. 1897 Shet. News (19 June):
Noo is da time ta try an' get a foon ta lay by fur da hairst.

II. adj. Few (Sh.¹¹ 1952).Sh. 1879 Shet. Times (5 April):
'In he did he wad get foon edder richer or bonnier.Sh. 1898 Shet. News (27 Dec.):
Dey wir foon men fir da lent o' rod at we hed ta cairry her.