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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1931

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SISTANCE, n. The smallest possible quantity of food, the least bite (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Ork., Cai. 1970). Also in reduced form sisten, used attrib. in quot. = very small, tiny. [′sɪstəns]Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 115:
I patna a sisten air o' tea i' da pot ava.

[Poss., as E.D.D., an aphetic form of. Eng. subsistence, but more likely a reduction of sustenance. Cf. sistentation s.v. Sustentation, sussnins s.v. Sussin.]

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"Sistance n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sistance>

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