Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
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.

UNDER, prep., adv., adj. Also unner (Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 199; Abd. 1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes xlv., Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 382, Ayr. 1955 S. T. Ross Bairnsangs 36; Cai., ‡ne.Sc. 1973), onder (Sh. 1904 E.D.D.); uner (Abd. Ib.), oner (Abd. 1754 R. Forbes Journal 23); oonder (Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xviii.; Sh. 1916 J. Burgess Rasmie's Smaa Murr (August 7)), ooner (Abd. 1877 G. MacDonald M. of Lossie vii.). Sc. forms and prep. usages. [′ʌn(d)ər, †un-]

Sc. form of Eng. under.Gsw. 1990 John and Willy Maley From the Calton to Catalonia 18:
While yer at it, junior, ah taen this photie oot fae unner yer mattress. Yer girlfriend, ah suppose? Faur too good-looking fur you, son.wm.Sc. 1991 James Russell Grant in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 57:
Here ye are in Rome saitit unner a Japanese fruit-treem.Sc. 1994 Martin Bowman and Bill Findlay Forever Yours, Marie-Lou 3:
A loat ae water's flowed unner the bridge since then ...

Sc. usages:

Phrs.: 1. under night, during the night, by night; 2. under thoum, (1) secretly, in an underhand manner (Sh. 1904 E.D.D.). Also used adj. (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); (2) in subjection (Ib.).1. Sc. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shep. ii iii.:
He brought East the Howdy under Night.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 450:
No manner of relief then could they find, but to sing undernight for “bawbees” in the large towns.Sc. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 129:
Some mares are known to drop their foals under night in the stable.Lth. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 125:
It would be a work to get them across the water under night.2. (1) Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 454:
A little trick projected in secret, is said to be done under thoum.