Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1887-1923
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¶WIRN, v. Only in ppl.adj. wirnin(g). Nonce form of uncertain meaning. Despite similarity of context, the two quots. below may be independent usages, the first implying 'drying' (cf. Win, v.2, of which indeed it may be a misprint), the second suggesting 'moaning, querulous' (cf. Wurn).Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 84:
The wirning win' of a grand hairst time was steering amang the stooks.Abd. 1923 B. R. M'Intosh Scent o' Broom 31:
There's a fa' o' leaves, and a wind gangs wirnin', wirnin'.
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"Wirn v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/wirn>
