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: 1809-1821, 1934
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†GUE, n. A stringed musical instrument formerly in use in Shetland. Also g(j)u, gø (Jak.). Hist. [gju:, gø:]Sh. 1809 A. Edmonston Zetland II. 59–60:
Before violins were introduced, the musicians performed on an instrument called a gue, which appears to have had some similarity to a violin, but had only two strings of horse hair, and was played upon in the same manner as a violoncello.Sh. 1821 Scott Pirate ii.:
He could play upon the gue, and upon the common violin.Sh. 1934 W. Moffatt Shetland 184:
They danced in solemn silence, except for the music of the "gue," or two-stringed violin.
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"Gue n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gue>
