Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
PASS, n.
I. n. 1. A step, stride, pace. Obs. in Eng. by mid. 17th c. Phrs.: (1) to be about a pass (with), to be pretty well abreast (of), running neck and neck (with), to keep step (with), lit. and fig.; (2) to draw one's pass, see Draw, I. 16. (6).(1) Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 16:
A hellzier she than Lindy younger was, But for her growth was much about a pass.
2. An indoor passage or corridor (Sc. 1818 Sawers; Uls. 1965). Hence pass-door, the door in a passage, pass-sneck, the latch of such a door, pass-window, a window in a passage.Gsw. 1761 Gsw. Past & Present (1884) II, 394:
Nor shall any carpets or floor-cloaths be shaken or cleaned over any of the fore-windows looking to Argyll Street, but shall be cleaned over the pass-windows.Ayr. 1766 Ayr Presb. Reg. MS. (27 Feb.) 206:
To a pass-Door for the Partition . . . four shillings.Edb. 1862 Precognition . . . regarding Falling of Tenement 32:
Our passage door, which opens on a pass-sneck, was stiff, and our kitchen or outer door has been stiff for the above period.
Specif. (1) the passage between the pews in a church, an aisle (ne.Sc. 1965).Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xi.:
Samie Pikshule . . . was going along the “pass” to shut the door.Rnf. 1873 D. Gilmour Pen' Folk 53:
William McLerie . . . steps noiselessly up the “pass”, asking kindly for each as he slips along.Bnff. 1891 W. Grant Anecdotes 56:
As they [newly married couple] walked along the pass they were the objects of much observation.Ayr. 1896 G. Umber Idylls 115:
I take my seat in the old pew, more than halfway up the right hand “pass”.Abd. 1913 C. Murray Hamewith 29:
When stridin' slawly ben the pass, Or to the lettrin speelin'.
(2) a passage between looms in a weaving shop or between machines in a factory (Rnf., Ayr. 1965); hence, by extension, a group of weavers, etc., working together, a team, comb. pass-mate, a work-mate; also the space between hay- or corn-stacks (Lth. 1966).Slg. 1792 Stat. Acc.2 VIII. 294:
In 1792, there were in what is termed a “pass,” four men, each having two piecers, that is to say, twelve persons in all. Now, one woman spins in one pass with the assistance of three piecers, that is four persons in all, what the twelve originally did.Gsw. 1863 H. MacDonald Poems 218:
He cam' into the shop like a cat, Gied a glance gin the pass had been soopit.Dmf. 1912 Gallovidian XIV. 195:
The night on which Nell's pass-mate had enquired so feelingly for her.
(3) a passage between the desks in a schoolroom.Abd. 1914 A. McS. The Bishop 14:
Syne oot he ran wi'the hail skweel aifter 'im. Sanners ran to block the pass, bit some ran by on ae side.
