Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

IN O, prep. comb. Also inno, inna, in a; in i' (I.Sc., Rxb.); in ov (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), in(n)en (ne.Sc.). [′ɪno, ′ɪnə]

1. Of motion or rest: in (Cld. 1825 Jam.), into, within, inside (Abd. Ib.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh., ne.Sc., Ags., m.Lth., Bwk., Uls. 1958). Phr. to come in o, to get used to.Ayr. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 112:
I laid them in a my king's-hood Wi' gude fresh butter.Slk. 1822 Hogg Perils of Man I. 79:
You twa masters are to sleep thegither in here, — in o' this gude bed, ye see, an' the twa lads in o' this ane.Sc. 1827 C. I. Johnstone Eliz. de Bruce II. xii.:
Ye will find the place eerie and lonesome at first, but ye will soon come in o' that.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 20:
Hey for the kintry o' cakes, Hey for the heroes that's in o't.Ags. 1866 D. Mitchell Hist. Montrose 40:
There was a shillin' shot in a mi' lufe.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xiv.:
I was in'o Kirkie's tent gettin' a share o' a gill wi' a cheelie.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (6 Nov.):
That steady-going chiel had done geyan weel to be noo gaun inen a bit placie o's nain.Abd. 1996 Sheena Blackhall Wittgenstein's Web iv:
Anither screiver-craitur banned me fur ruggin politics, philosophy an current affairs inno poetry, fur he jaloused Scots wis best keepit fur screivin on sharn, or fur wee comic verses tae please the easy-pleased.

2. Closely engrossed in (something) (Abd. 1958); in close proximity to (someone).Abd. 1755 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 27:
Or e'en to sit ben inno the guidman upo' the best bink o' the house.Abd. 1825 Jam.:
“I'm inno my wark,” I have sufficient work to do; or, I am earnestly engaged in it.