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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.

RANGE, v., n. Sc. usages. See also Reenge, v.¹, n.¹

I. v. 1. To search widely and thoroughly, to rummage (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 143). For specif. Sc. mining usage see 1886 quot. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 56:
But wow? the Ferly quickly chang'd, When throw their empty Fobs they rang'd.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. xlv.:
An unco ranging and riping they have had a' gates seeking for her.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 225:
While ranging for subscribers once through the country, a priest was so impudent as to tell him he was no poet.Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 25:
What sorrow wou'd ye now be at Rangin' for whisky stills an' mauts.Sc. 1886 J. Barrowman Mining Terms 54:
Ranging, searching for minerals by means of shallow pits across the outcrops.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A've ranged a' the drawers, an' canna find it.

2. To agitate water in order to drive fish out of their hiding places (Slk. 1825 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., Rxb. 1967).

3. To poke out (the ashes) from between the bars of a grate to let air circulate (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Ags., Fif., s.Sc. 1967); sim. to stir the tobacco in a pipe.Slk. 1875 Border Treasury (20 Feb.) 344:
That's the preen the Laird used to range his pipe wi'.Bwk. 1876 W. Brockie Confessional 186:
She was rangin the fire, an' her mutch tuke lowe.Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 18:
Taik the poker an range the bars o the feier.

4. To rinse, swill, clean out (Uls. 1953 Traynor).

II. n. 1. A stroll, a walk (ne.Sc., Ags., m.Lth. 1967).Per. 1893 Harp Per. (Ford) 95:
A'e nicht when I ga'e owre my wark, An' took a range doun thro' the park.

2. A stretch or reach of countryside, esp. one of clear or definable limits (Abd. 1967).Ags. 1874 C. Sievwright Love Lilts 37:
Down the bonnie range o' Logie Where the holly-bushes grow.

3. A searching glance, a sweep of the eye.Ayr. 1892 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 178:
An' aft her sad eye takes a range o' the sky, Or sweeps by the Harper's ha'.

4. The seats in a church immediately below the pulpit, used by the precentor, elders, etc. (ne.Sc. 1967).

†5. A layer, a fold.Sc. 1736 J. Dunbar Smegmatalogia 17:
You may lay on more Ranges or Folds of your Cloath, . . . till your Tub be near full.

6. A heavy swelling movement of the sea.Abd. 1952 Evening Express (19 Feb.):
There was a heavy “range” at the time, which was the probable reason for the ship breaking away from its moorings.