Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1923, 1985
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BONCE, Bonsh, Bunce, n. and v. Also boonce. [bɔns, bɔnʃ, bʌns, buns]
1. n. (See 1923 quot.)Ags. 1985 Raymond Vettese in Joy Hendry Chapman 40 13:
There's mirth in yon,
the boonce and lowp o language,
the clash and greement.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Bonce. Also bonsh (centr.–w.), bunce (w.). Bounce.
2. v. “To bounce” (Ib; boonce Sh., Ags., Edb., Ayr. 2000s).
ppl.adj. boncin': (1) “bouncing” (n.Rxb. Ib.); (2) forceful, brazenly bold.(2) w.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
She's a boncin' bizzom — aye gaun maisterin' aboot.
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"Bonce n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/bonce>
