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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TREW, v. Also troo, trou, tru(e); ¶troe (Sh. 1951 Sh. Folk Book II. 1); trow. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. obs. or arch. trow, to believe. Pa.t., pa.p. trowed. [‡tru; s.Sc. †trʌu. See P.L.D. § 101.]

1. As in Eng. Phr. gud to tru, credible, dependable, trustworthy (Sh. 1973).Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 3:
All cracks may not be trowed.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 47:
For well I wat his Colour's Green, If ane may true his ain twa Een.Edb. 1772 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 91:
Ane might true they were a-kin To a' the tongues at Babylon.Rnf. 1808 R. Tannahill Poems (1900) 268:
How daur you trow that I am fou.Sh. 1815 Shetland Advert. (6 Jan. 1862):
Doo'll mak a black end yet, or dan amm no gud to trud [sic].Sc. 1818 Scott Bride of Lamm. xiii.:
That auld clavering sneck-drawer wad gar ye trow the moon is made of green cheese.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 123:
O' cheese and bread John served now, Began to hirsle near his dow; Wi' kindly courtesy, I trow.Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man (1972) ii.:
They wad gar ane trow that they can see an inch into a fir deal.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxv.:
Though a chiel in a kwintra chop sud be garrin' 'er troo that he's wuntin' 'er.Knr. 1886 H. Haliburton Horace 93:
He'd gar ye troo it was a wrang To breathe in Scotland.Ayr. 1892 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 337:
Ye'd hardly trew, to see them noo, That snaws had ever been.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
If I be gud ta tru.Gall. 1928 Gallov. Annual 66:
Though they're fair, I troo, there are nane like you.Ags. 1959 G. Michie Glen Anthol. 10:
They daft mortals are trowin' t' get to Heaven.Sh. 1972:
Trew dee me, believe me, I assure you.

2. To make one believe, esp. in game.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
I'm only trowing you.