Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
LURDAN, n., adj. Also -ane, -en, -o(u)n. [′lʌrdən]
I. n. A lazy, loutish or stupid person, a loafer, a worthless creature, a rascal (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 325, of a woman). Mostly liter. and arch. as in Eng.Sc. 1723 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 133:
These Lurdanes came just in my Light, As I was tenting Chloe.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth iii.:
Even if this lazy lurdane wrought at it, which you know yourself, he seldom does.Sc. 1832 A. Henderson Proverbs 85:
Let alane maks mony lurdanes.Gall. 1901 R. Trotter Gall. Gossip 277:
He took a notion o' a fat tow-heidit English lurdan o' a hizzie.
II. adj. Heavy, dull, lit. and fig.; clownish, stupid, rascally. Also deriv. lurdenly, adj., adv., lazy, worthless, in a dull, loutish manner (Ayr. 1825 Jam.).Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 32:
Lurdane sloth O'ercoups them [Romans] a' 'mang savage swarms O' Hun an' Goth.Sc. 1820 Scott Abbot xiv.:
Down with the doors and with the lurdane monks.Bwk. 1825 Jam.:
A lurden nevvel, a heavy or severe blow.Bnff. 1853 Banffshire Jnl. (11 May):
He tried to wind me on his pirn, The lurdon loon, the weaver.Ags. 1868 G. Webster Strathbrachan III. i.:
It would be “E'ens you like” with you, poor soft lurden.Ayr. 1880 Jam.:
A lurdane look.Abd. 1882 W. Forsyth Writings 19:
The lurdan livery that ye wear Ye hin'most o' the deevil's dizzin.
