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 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡LANT, n.¹, v. Also †lent; lunt.

I. n. 1. The card game now called loo (Sc. 1787 J. Elphinston Propriety II. 126, 1825 Jam.; ‡Sh. 1960); the sum imposed as a penalty in the game or the player who has to pay it.Sc. 1702 Foulis Acct. Bk. (S.H.S.) 310:
Lost at lant with them … 10s. 6d.Kcd. 1819 J. Burness Plays, etc. 285:
A' lants but borrowed anes we'll hae, … But Geordie cried out, hoolie, I'm lant this night.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 36:
That Scottish game at cards called Lent, which is generally played at for money.Bnff. 1856 J. Collie Poems 120:
Whar we had a' been macking cheery, At five cart lant.

2. Commotion, confusion (Abd. 1825 Jam.); a dilemma, a standstill (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 100); a cheat (Id.).

II. v. To play at lant, to outplay at this game, to loo.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 36:
One of the gamblers stands, that is to say, will play, and is lented, which is outplayed by those who stood and played also.

Hence 1. to put in a dilemma, to bring to a stand (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 100; Sh. 1960); 2. to cheat, leave one with some awkward responsibility, “with the baby”, to leave one in the lurch; 3. to mock, jeer, gibe at (Gregor).1. Dmf. 1823 J. Kennedy Poems 79:
Gin it appears, ye're fairly lanted.Bnff. 1856 J. Collie Poems 112:
Weel, faith, gif that be your look out, I fear ye're lanted sairly.2. Abd. 1780 in Ellis E.E.P. v. 775:
[She] cleekit Breece by the gardie an gid aff wi him, an' fairly luntit Shanks.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 100:
A'm fairly lantit wee the aul' coo. He lantit me wee that watch. He's lantit wee the fessan-up o' that funlan.3. Bch. 1861 J. Davidson Poems 68:
Wi' anger at thus bein' lanted.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb vii.:
Fan I see yer uncle I sall lant 'im the richt gate.Bnff. 1920 Banffshire Jnl. (14 Dec.):
Pey ye nae heed tae my fyow lantin' wirds.Abd. 1931 Abd. Press & Jnl. (23 March):
A lantin' tongue stung some; there was venom intil't.