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.
‡FRAINISHIN, vbl.n. Also frenishen, -in, frennisin. [′frenɪʃi.n]
1. A rage, passion, frenzy, distraction (Ags. 1808 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).s.Sc. 1857 H. S. Riddell Psalms vii. 6:
Raeise up, O Lord, in thine angir; lifte up thysel' becaus o' the frennisin o' mine enimies.
Hence ¶frennisinlie, adv., frantically, furiously.Ib. ii. 1:
Why do the heaethin frennisinlie forgether?
2. A state of mental confusion, a daze, esp. of a child suddenly awakened from sleep (Rxb. 1825 Jam., 1923 Watson W.-B.).
3. A stir or commotion (Watson).
[A variant of frainesying, vbl.n. form from Frainesy above.]