Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SKLENT, n.3 Also sklant, sclant. Chance, opportunity; interval, as in a storm (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1970).Sh. 1901 T. P. Ollason Mareel 39:
“Is doo seen ony sklant yet, Olie,” asked Lowrie. “Na he, he didna hae time ta look aboot him for coortin'.”Sh. 1904 E.D.D.:
“Did doo speak wi' Rasmie da streen?” “Naa, boy, I never haed a sclant.”Bnff.2 1930:
He took advantage o' the sklent t' had hame.
Phr. to get a sklent on, to get an opportunity or chance of speaking to (a person) (Uls. 1953 Traynor).
[Ad. slang (orig. naut.) Eng. slant, id., with the form assimilated to Sklent, n.1]
