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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

INTHROW, adv., prep., adj., n. Also inthrowe; introw, -tru, -troo (Sh.). [Sc. ɪn′θr(ʌ)u, Sh. ɪn′tr(ʌ)u]

I. adv. With verbs of motion: from a distance towards an inner focal point such as the fireside (Cld. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1958).Sh. 1914 Angus Gl. 11:
Lass, ko di's intru an get da air a da fire.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 139:
Dey wir a lok o' fok dere an' I juist guid in trow.

II. prep. 1. By means of, through the agency of (Cai. 1902 E.D.D.; ne.Sc. 1958).Abd. 1825 Jam.:
It was inthrow him that I got that birth.

2. In the heart of, deep in (esp. of upland as opposed to coastal regions). Cf. III.; after verbs of motion: right through, from one side towards the other (Ork., ne.Sc., Ags. 1958). Phr. to gae inthrow and out throw onything, to examine, investigate thoroughly (Ags. 1825 Jam., Ags. 1958).Sc. 1825 Jam.:
I gaed inthrow that field, i.e. from the outer side towards the centre.Cai. 1884 Crofters' Comm. Evid. III. 2413:
The coast side is also subject to harvest blast, as in 1879 the oats were as low as 28 lbs. per bushel and very generally 31, while in through the county it was weighing 39 lbs. and 40 lbs. per bushel.

III. adj. Deep in the country, outlying (Abd. 1900–58). Cf. Inby, Inwith.Abd. 1950 Huntly Express (27 Jan.):
As far as he knew — and his is “an inthrou' toon” — there had been no compulsion as regards ploughing.

IV. n. The innermost part, heart, core. Used fig. (Abd. 1958).Sc. 1854 Chambers's Jnl. (7 Jan.) 6:
A book o' his that explored and explained a' the in-throughs and out-throughs o' the human mind.