Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
Hide Quotations Hide Etymology
About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
¶WANE, adj.2 ? Bewildered, despairing. The collocation wild wane is prob. a confused reminiscence of the O.Sc. phr. will of wane, at a loss, bewildered, where wane means “hope” (cf. Wan, n.3). See also Will, adj.Lnk. 1889 A. MacLachlan Songs 81:
But look at me wi' waefu' face, And syne wi' a wild wane cry He fell at my feet.
