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: 1891-1956
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NUNE, v., n.2 Also nun, nün(e), nön(n) (Jak.), nöne; nunn (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1949 New Shetlander No. 19. 25). [nøn, nun]
I. v. To hum, croon, sing softly (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1964). Also fig. Vbl.n. nönin.Sh. 1891 J. Burgess Rasmie's Buddie 18:
Half till hersell aye Natur nüns her trüth.Sh. 1919 T. Manson Peat Comm. 165:
An dir nothin ta hinder me ta nune dem ta mesell as we geng ta da kirk.Sh. 1933 J. Nicolson Hentilagets 22:
An whin my breath is taen its flicht, Dey'll nön me trou da lang, lang nicht.Sh. 1956 Sh. Community Mag. No. 1. 15:
Da auld man sits an' smokks bi fit, An' nuns an auld auld air.
II. n. A song, tune, esp. when hummed (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), Sh. 1964).
[Norw. dial. nuna, nynna, Dan. nynne, to sing, hum, of imit. orig.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Nune v., n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/nune_v_n2>
