Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1823-1996
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THRING, v. Sc. usages:
1. To press or push one's way through, make strenuous efforts to get forward. Obs. in Eng. exc. dial. Also ppl. adj.Dmf. 1823 Carlyle Early Life (Froude) I. 194:
It seems likely I shall just thring on here till I get desperate.Dundee 1996 Matthew Fitt Pure Radge 7:
in the thringin stand
the ghaists greet an rair
the trachle o buits
breenges on
2. To press hard, oppress, afflict. Obs. in Eng. Arch. Pa.t. ¶thring.Sc. 1871 P. H. Waddell Psalms ii. 9:
Ye sal thring them wi' a gad o' airn.Sc. 1879 P. H. Waddell Isaiah lii. 4:
The Assyrian han' on their head's been an unco guide, till thring them sair.Sc. 1959 R. Garioch A Sang at Least 27:
My finger thring intill the illuminat air.
3. To shrug. Liter.Sc. 1926 H. M'Diarmid Drunk Man 25:
Prood mune, ye needna thring your shouder there.
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"Thring v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Jan 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/thring>
