Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
-LINS, -LINGS, suff. This suff., used to form advs., is much more freq. in Sc. than in Eng., where it survives only dial., occurring: 1. after nouns, to indicate “in the direction of” (the orig. usage) as in Arselins, Backlins, Eastlins, Grooflins, Heidlins, Sidelins; 2. with adjs. or quasi-adjs., similarly to connote direction and also manner, condition, degree.
Hence Forelins; Blindlins; Darklins, adv., Fecklins, Flatlin(g)s, Freelins, Halflins, Hidlins, Langlins, Newlins, Maistlins, Ochtlins, Stownlins.
[An ablaut variant with genitival -s of -lang, as in Alang, Endlang, Eng. -long, id. See -In(g), suff., 3.]
