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.
AX, v. Common form of ask. [ɑks]Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary III. ix.:
Are ye axing me as a magistrate, Monkbarns, or is it just for your ain satisfaction?Sc. [1827] Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 288:
The leddy I saw . . . comin intil a circulation leebrary to ax for the Secrets o' Sensibility, . . . had ankles . . . about the thickness of my cawve.Abd. 1881 W. Paul Past and Pres. of Aberdeenshire 130:
There wis a Hielanman axed at me, What, grows there berries into the sea.Hdg. 1908 J. Lumsden Doun i' th' Loudons, etc. 59:
A laddie bairn, . . . Slank in afore him, axin wad he buy A bawbee box o' matches for his lunt?Kcb. 1885 A. J. Armstrong Friend and Foe 229:
A douce kindly-faced auld man cam' forrit an' axed me if I wad hire.Rxb. 1873 J. Murray D.S.C.S. 246:
An' schui axt-us, “Aa bæg o' ye, læt-us gæther ahynt the scheirers, amang the stooks.”Uls. 1931 “Glenwheery” in North. Whig and Belfast Post (11 Dec.) 13/3:
“Tae ax the e'e oot o' yir heed an' spit in the hole,” is the quintessence of malicious greed.
