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.
Quotation dates: 1804-1847, 1912-1952
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‡FORERIN, v. Also for-rin. Sc. forms of obs. Eng. forerun.
1. To precede: to outrun, outpace in running. Hence forerinner, a forerunner, a harbinger, outrunner; Gen.Sc.Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poems II. 86:
He coost his coat and ran, . . . Till he foreran the win'.Dmf. 1847 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 235:
I fore-ran A wee wee wife and a wee wee man.Dmf. 1912 J. L. Waugh Robbie Doo 51:
A bavin o' Biggar bairns gethered roon, . . . dootless thinkin' that . . . we were the forerinners o' a circus.Sc. 1917 D. G. Mitchell Clachan Kirk 173:
He was their ain, an' yet he was to be the warl's preacher, an' a forerinner o' the Messiah.
†2. To play truant from (school).Wgt. 1952 Galloway Gazette (3 Nov.):
I can very clearly recall only one common word for truant and that was "For-rinnin." Example: "Ye hae been for-rinnin' the Schule, boy!"
