Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LEARN, v. Also lairn; leern. Ppl.adj. lairn(i)t. [lɛrn, ne.Sc. †lirn]
Sc. usage, obs. in Eng. exc. as a solecism: to teach, instruct (Sc. 1782 J. Sinclair Ob. Sc. Dial. 88). Gen.Sc. Hence ppl.adj. learned, instructed, educated, informed; learnin, formal education, schooling. Obs. in Eng.Abd. 1700 Abd. Burgh Rec. (B.R.S.) 328:
After reading, they are to be learned the declinations, comparisons, pronuns, conjugations, with the rest of the rudiments, to the constructions.Rxb. 1712 J. Wilson Hawick (1858) 49:
This day Mr John Purdom gave in ane account for Teaching seven poor objects, and other three in the end of the account are set down, whom he learned gratis.Ayr. 1786 Burns To W. Simpson xxv.:
An' some, to learn them for their tricks, Were hang'd an' brunt.Rnf. 1790 Caldwell Papers (M.C.) 259:
Addison, Pope, Swift, lairns us the manners of the times they wrot in.Bwk. 1821 W. Sutherland Poems 12:
He learn'd himself to read and speak Hebrew, Latin, French, and Greek.Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet xx.:
It would be wrang to leave it to the lass — it is learning her bad usages.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb vi.:
The youngest, Benjamin, was to get “leernin'”.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 9:
I'll learn him hoo tae fecht.Fif. 1894 J. W. M'Laren Tibbie and Tam 114:
Beasts as weel as bodies maun be learned manners.Kcb. 1898 Crockett Standard Bearer xii.:
I was not so ill-learned in the way of maids.Abd. 1905 W. Watson Auld Lang Syne 158:
I'll leern ye something different.Abd. 1930 Abd. Univ. Rev. (4 March) 106:
It wiz aboot the time o' the Endian Mutiny fin he finish't his learnin'.Sc. 1953 Scots Mag. (March) 478:
In Gaelic we use the same word for “learning” as for “teaching” and so we get “Are you learning them their lessons” instead of “Are you teaching them their lessons.”wm.Sc. 1980 Anna Blair The Rowan on the Ridge 92:
"James is weel enough learnt, but there's nae fire in his belly for the farm." em.Sc.(a) 1991 Kate Armstrong in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 113:
Wir dominie learned us the lives o the great
o lang syne. w.Lth. 2000 Davie Kerr A Puckle Poems 33:
Decipherin
tends ti tax yir power,
Runcles the broo an gars ye
glower
But dinna fret,
Hop on a
plane an come on ower,
A'll learn ye yet.
