Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1789-1999
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NOTION, n. Also notian (Ork. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iv. 85). Sc. form and usages:
1. A liking or affection, esp. for a person of the opposite sex, a fancy (Sc. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 217; Abd. 1882 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 131; Uls. 1953 Traynor), followed by o' tae, til. Gen.Sc., also in n.Eng. dial.Sc. 1789 Shepherd's Wedding 14:
I hae lang, altho' I didna tell, Had a strong notion o' the lass mysel'.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 226:
In the regular routine of a matrimonial transaction; first taking the notion; secondly, courting.Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 374:
Gin ony o' ye hae a notion o' the dambrod.Wgt. 1877 G. Fraser Wigtown 338:
A spinster in the neighbourhood had "a notion" of him — was, in fact, only waiting till he would "speer" her.Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 28:
Does he hae ony scaar iv a notion o' her ava?Arg. 1901 N. Munro Doom Castle xxxv.:
She had a notion o' the Frenchman frae the first glisk o' him.Abd. 1920 G. P. Dunbar Peat Reek 39:
For a notion he'd ta'en tae the fowk o' Drumclack.Ork. 1952 R. T. Johnston Stenwick Days (1984) 83:
"The sooner thoo're feenished wi' Gabriel Stoot the better. He his a notion on Portia Rosie." wm.Sc. 1980 Anna Blair The Rowan on the Ridge 34:
"If she still has a notion of you, and if you've a cot bigged by Martinmas, you'll can marry her wi' my mither's blessin' ..." Ayr. 1999:
She's got a notion o ye/fur ye. [fancies you]
2. Derivs.: (1) notional, full of whims or caprices (Gall. 1925 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 33). Also in U.S.; (2) notionate, pa.p., id. (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Ayr. 1921; Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms 30; Kcb. 1964); obstinate, headstrong. Also in U.S.(1) Sc. 1926 L. Moon Drumorty 101:
They were "very notional," and would bring a suit back again and again for alterations.(2) Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxv.:
He was a "notionate" old fellow the elder Mains of Yawal, and would be obeyed.Wgt. 1877 "Saxon" Gall. Gossip 132:
He was . . . a terrible notionate buddy, and he took a craze for everything Dutch.
