Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TWANG, n., v. Sc. usages:
I. n. A sudden, sharp pain, a twinge, an acute pang (Ags., Slg., Lth., wm.Sc., Wgt., Rxb. 1973), lit. and fig. Rare and dial. in Eng.Sc. 1724 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 9:
The Twangs of Guilt, and Terrors of Disease.Ayr. 1787 Burns To the Toochache i.:
My curse upon thy venom'd stang, That thro' my lugs gies mony a twang.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Poems (1865) 374:
That roused up the twangs and terrors of sin.Sc. 1874 W. Allan Hamespun Lilts 24:
The only ane, wha Pity's twang Loved to record.
II. v. Of pain: to throb, stab (Rxb. 1973). Ppl.adj. twanging, sharp, shooting.Rxb. 1826 A. Scott Poems 148:
We met, I wot, in twanging pain.
