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.
†MANA, n. A taboo word for land: the mainland (Sh. 1881 Williamson MSS., 1908 Jak. (1928)). [′mɑ:nɑ]
[Orig. doubtful. ? Cf. Norw. dial. maan, the crest of a mountain as it appears from the valley, a piece of land projecting into the water, orig. from O.N. mǫn, mane, + -a, fem. suff. art.]
