Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HERTENIN, vbl.n. Also heartning; hertnin (ne.Sc.). Sc. forms of Eng. heartening, encouragement (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Ork., ne.Sc., Ags. 1957); strengthening with food, nourishment. Now obs. in Eng. exc. as ppl.adj.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 15:
Six score o' lambs the year, Is heartning gueed.Sc. 1816 in S. Smiles J. Murray (1891) I. 467:
“I am . . . confident in the success of this work.” This is no bad heartening.Abd. 1879 G. Macdonald Sir Gibbie xxvi.:
Ye can gie my denner to Angus: he'll want heartenin' for the wuddie.Abd. 1923 R. L. Cassie Heid or Hert xvii.:
A thrill o' hertenin' ran throwe her fae heid tae fit, an' she ran bravely on.