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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RANDER, v.¹, n.¹ Also ranner; raun'er.

I. v. To talk idly, to ramble, maunder, babble incoherently (Bwk., Lnk. 1825 Jam.; Uls. 1931 Northern Whig (2 Dec.) 5; Sh., Cai., Uls. 1967). Hence randering, ppl.adj., babbling, loquacious, vbl.n., idle, nonsensical talk, raving; randerer, = II. (Cai. 1967).s.Sc. 1835 Wilson's Tales of the Borders I. 322:
“Havers, lassie!” cried her faither angrily; “are ye at your randering again? — what blood do ye see on their brows mair than I do.”Uls. c.1921:
Stap randerin' — hae some sense!

II. n. A great talker (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1967); freq. in pl. senseless, incoherent talk, idle discourse (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Cai.¹ c.1930; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); wild, indistinct dreams (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.). See also Render, n.²Rxb. 1825 Jam.:
She's a perfect rander.s.Sc. 1835 Wilson's Tales of the Borders I. 322:
“Call it randers, or what ye will”, answered she; qq.but I see it plain as the grey hairs upon your head, that death and lamentation are gathering round my father's hearth.”Sc. 1928 J. G. Horne Lan'wart Loon 13:
For, unbekent, his thochts wad waun'er To granny's freits an' waesome raun'er.