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.
VAALEN, adj. Also vaalin; valen, -in; valeen (Sh. c.1870 E.D.D.); vaulin. [′vɑ:lən; ′ve:lən]
‡1. Numb with cold, benumbed (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 226, vaalin, 1908 Jak. (1928), valen, -in, 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1973).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (5 June):
A'm a kind o' poowerless an' vaulin' i' mi joints.
†2. Awkward, fumbling, without dexterity (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). Cf. Varless, 2.
[Norw. dial., Dan., Swed. valen, numb, stiff with cold, esp. of the fingers.]
