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.
HAAIN, n. Also haawin, -wie, howin; and orig.pl.forms -ance, -aness (Marw.), hawance. [′hɑ: in, -wi(n); ′hɔuin, -ən(ə)s]
1. Economy, husbanding of goods, moderation or restraint in spending (Ork. 1929 Marw.; Ork., Cai. 1956). Gen. in phr. to hae haain i', to use sparingly (Marw.).Ork. 1915 Old-Lore Misc. VIII. i. 41:
Dere wasna ony loaf dan, na deed, an' 'e clined butter api' twa o dem wi' 'is ain toomb, an' A'm telt, 'e hedna ony hawance on da butter.
2. A very small fraction, a particle, found in neg. phr. not wan howaness, not a —, not an iota (Ork. 1929 Marw.).
[The form is that of a vbl.n., appar. ad. O.N. haga, to manage, arrange, Norw. haga, id., hag, moderation, management. See Haag above, with sim. meanings. There may be some confusion with Havin(g)s.]
