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.
†TWIRN, v. Also twirm (Sh.). To dwindle, wither, shrivel, shrink (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928); Ork. 1929 Marw.); to wrinkle the face, to frown (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Hence twirmed, withered, decayed (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.); twirny, wrinkled, frowning (Ork. 1929 Marw.). [Ork. twɪrn, Sh. twɪrm]
[Orig. uncertain, phs. a deriv. *tverna from Norw. dial. tverra, O.N. þverra, to wane, shrink. But there may be some confusion with Norw. dial. tvinna, to diminish. For Sh. -rm cf. pirm, Pirn.]
