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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WANNIS, v. Also wanniss, waunice.

1. To be stunned, as from a blow, to be faintish or dizzy (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 332).

2. To stagger, move weakly and laboriously.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 234:
The auld black ane gaed bye the noo wi' a great heavy draucht, it could hardly waunice wi't.
Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 24:
A silly quey or twa fed through the winter time on boiled strae and taits o' moss hay, hardly able gin the spring to waunice up the craft its lane.

[The word is rare, and of uncertain authenticity and orig. Connection with O.Sc. wandis, to recoil, give way, only in Barbour, 1375, O.Fr. wandir, id., and also with Wainish, seems doubtful. Service may have misunderstood the word.]

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