Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
UNTIL, prep., conj. Also untill; ontil (Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ. i. xxii.); oontil (Abd. 1875 G. MacDonald Malcolm xli., 1918 W. B. Morren The Hert's Aye 13). See Till, prep. Sc. forms and prep. usages:
Sc. form of Eng. until.Fif. 1998 Tom Hubbard Isolde's Luve-Daith 6:
I wis left my lane, ontil
Ae nicht, a tread on the stair,
An the door unsneckt:
Sc. usages:
1. To, unto, as far as, towards; in reply to. Obs. in Eng.Sc. a.1722 W. Macfarlane Geog. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 1:
The Coast runs Southwest from the castle of Greenand untill the poynt of Turnberry.Sc. c.1780 Archie o Cawfield in Child Ballads No. 188 A. xxxv.:
But up bespake the Lieutenant, Until a bonny lad said he.Sc. 1802 Scott Minstrelsy I. 158:
When they cam the gate untill.Sc. 1814 Scott Waverley x.:
The Laird had devoted his leisure untill tillage and agriculture.Sc. 1814 A. Boswell Poet. Wks. (1871) 142:
Ge-en-tlemen o' the Jury, Ye'll answer untill a' your names.
2. In contact with, against. Obs. in Eng.Abd. 1777 R. Forbes Ulysses 38:
He shook the blade, an' Set the heft to the ground, The nib until his breast.Sc. a.1803 Cruel Mother in Child Ballads (1956) I. 221:
She's set her back untill an oak.
3. Into (Sc. 1904 E.D.D.; ‡Abd. 1973). Also in Eng. dial.Sc. a.1765 Lord Thomas and Fair Annet in Child Ballads No. 73 A. xxviii.:
[He] strake the dagger untill his heart, And fell deid by her side.
