Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
INSENSE, v. To cause to understand, explain, convince; with into, to drive a piece of knowledge into a person's head, to impress a fact upon, to enlighten (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Gall. 1902 E.D.D., Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms 26, 1931 North. Whig (15 Dec.) 10; Gall. 1958). Now obs. in Eng. exc. dial. [ɪn′sɛns]Sc. 1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah xxviii. 26:
Is't-na God gies him wit for siclike? an' insenses him ay till be doen?Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 111:
Willie Pung, indeed, swarfed awa when he was shot, but we got him insensed in a meenont or twa that he wasna deid.Uls. 1904 Victoria College Mag. 36:
When it is impossible to make a stupid person understand something he is asking about, the Ulsterman says: “I can't insense it into him.”Uls. 1987 Sam Hanna Bell Across the Narrow Sea 72:
'Let me insense ye how matters are on that head, for it's better coming from the factor than any clishmaclaver you'll hear in other quarters. ... ' Edb. 2005:
Ah need tae insense ye aboot the new rules.
