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.
†GONTERNS. Also gontrin-, -an-, -um-; gonter-; contance, contens.
1. Used as an excl. of surprise or of joyous admiration (Rxb. 1825 Jam., gonterns, gontrins, Rxb. c.1860, rare, ‡1923 Watson W.-B.). Also (by) my gontrans, contens, id.Sc. 1752 Scotland's Glory (1805) 64:
Our common oaths are such as these: Troth, 'aith, 'od, faith and contance.Abd. 1759 F. Douglas Rural Love 16:
Ye's want for naething I can gie ye, For be my contens Megg, I loo ye.s.Sc. 1871 H. S. Riddell Poet. Works I. 5:
My gontrans, lass, ye soon will fin' A wilfu' man maun hae his way.
2. In combs.: (1) gonterniblicks, n., gladness (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); (2) gonternickles, gontrum-niddtes, int., an excl. of glad surprise (Ib.).(1) Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. of Christ ii. vi. 61:
The blytheheid o' the richtous is frae God an' i' God, an' their gonterniblicks is i' the trowth.
