Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
AWANTING, adj., orig. a phrase, but used like ppl.adj. in pred. Wanting, missing. “Chiefly in Sc. writers,” N.E.D. Cf. Amissing.Sc. 1881 A. Mackie Scotticisms 24:
Three letters are awanting.Edb. 1916 W. Dunlop's Catalogue of Books (April) 3:
Has the cancelled sheet 2 in vol. I., often awanting.Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 311:
But O he's awanting, mair fair than them a', My kind-hearted laddie, my Willie's awa.Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 15:
Puir auld Wattie Laidlaw! It was waesome ti think that hei was awanteen threh eis weel-leikeet Aibbey doon i the howe.
