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.
GLAAN, n., v. Also gla(u)n. [glɑ:n]
I. n. Also gla(a)ni, glanny. A whetstone (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., glaan, glanny), Sh.10 1954). Orig. a fisherman's tabu-name.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 244:
Da grind wi' da skoags, da skönes, an' da glaan wir a' laid i' da nabert locker i' da eft room.
‡II. v. To whet, sharpen (Sh. 1949 New Shetlander No. 14. 22, glaun).Sh. 1922 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd 102:
I canna gie me knife, Girzzie, I wis jüist glaan'd him fir anidder kind o ' wark.