Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GENT, Gant, n., v. [Sh. gant, s.Sc. gænt]
I. n. 1. A very tall and thin or lanky person (Rxb. 1825 Jam.; Sh.10, gant, “jocular and rare,” Rxb.5 1954); in old stories, a giant (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); most freq. applied to a woman (Kcb.2 c.1930). Also in Nhb. dial.Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
A (great) gant o' a wife, a tall slender woman.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A lang gent o' a falla.
†2. “Any thing very tall” (Rxb. 1825 Jam.).
[Norw. dial. gand, pointed stick, also a tall, thin fellow. For change of nd to nt in Sh., see Jak. Intro. LII. § 28.]
