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.
Quotation dates: 1710, 1808, 1933
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†LOWDEN, adj., v. [′lʌudən]
I. adj. Subdued in demeanour, in a state of awed silence; mute, cowed.Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis:
To be lowden, i.e. to speak little or none in the presence of one of whom we stand in aw.
II. v. 1. intr. To diminish in intensity, esp. of sound; of the wind, etc.: to lull, abate, die down (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Abd.6 1929).Sc. 1933 Scots Mag. (Oct.) 76:
Only the gowk's saft whistle Lowden'd alang the hill.
2. Of persons: to become silent, as with awe, be subdued or abashed, to retire into one's shell, "dry up" (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).
3. tr. To subdue, reduce the force or intensity of; to make dull in sound, to quieten (a person or thing).n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
"The rain will lowden the wind," i.e. make it fall. "He has got something to lowden him"; or to bring him into a calmer state.
4. tr. To lower, bring low, cause to droop or fall.Sc. 1933 W. Soutar Seeds in the Wind 32:
Puir baest, puir baest, wha wudna yowl, Wi' liftit jowl an' lowden'd lugs.
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"Lowden adj., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/lowden_adj_v>
