Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

SPACE, n., v. Sc. usages:

I. n. A pace, a stride, commonly accepted as being about three feet in length (n.Sc 1808 Jam.; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Sh., Cai. 1971).Mry. 1707 Records Elgin (S.C.) I. 372:
Compting ane Scots eln of 38 inches to the space.Abd. 1739 Caled. Mag. (1788) 504:
Sanny wi' a well-wyl'd wap, Yowph[d] her in o'er the Park A space and mae.Abd. 1795 Session Papers, Leslie v Fraser State of Process (29 March 1805) 102:
The biggest leauws does not exceed one space and one half in breadth.

II. v. To measure by paces (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; I. and n.Sc., Lth., wm.Sc. 1971). Also in Eng. dial.Abd. 1920 R. H. Calder Gleanings II. 10:
Gyaun like a chiel spacin' tatie grun'.