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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PERCON(N)ON, n. Also percunnance, pre-. An understanding, proviso, condition. reservation (Abd. 1790 A. Shirrefs Poems Gl.; n.Sc. 1808 Jam.), a pretext, excuse, reason (Abd., Kcd. 1965, + pre-). Phr. perconnon that, on the understanding that, provided that, on condition that.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore (S.T.S.) 54:
But upo' this perconon I agree To let you gang, that Lindy marry me.Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 174:
I'll help you yet to shape another tale; Perconon that ye by your text abide.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxviii.:
It's nae upo' that precunnance't I cam' here the nicht.Abd. 1962 Abd. Press & Jnl. (30 Dec.):
One or two of his audience would lend a hand as occasion arose with no thought of payment; in fact, some had “ta'en a stap owerbye” on that very “precunnance”.

[Orig. doubtful, poss. representing some corrupt or curtailed forms of Mid.Eng. reconisaunce, a recognizance or bond by which one agrees to perform some condition, or O.Sc. racunnysing, recognising, sc. on the acknowledgement of, admitting that . . . ]

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