Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1880-1964
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TIRN, adj. Also tirran, tirren (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)), tirrn, terran. [′tɪr(ə)n] Of an irritable, cantankerous, irascible disposition, cross, bad-tempered, angry (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XV. 96, Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., tirran; Sh. 1972); headstrong (Ork. 1929 Marw., terran); outrageous; of weather: threatening, gloomy. Also adv.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 75:
Hid wus a terran sight.Sh. 1892 G. Stewart Fireside Tales 247:
She wis awfil tirren dat day.Sh. 1899 J. Inkster Mansie's Röd (1922) 141:
Lass, what spak doo sae tirrn ta Aandrew for?Sh. 1915 Shetland News (21 Oct.):
He was a fine momen still, bit he was odious tirn lyukin i da aest.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 107:
A giant gyaan ta houve him across da Soond at som een he wis tirn wi.
Comb. and derivs.: 1. tirran spreet, a cross bad-tempered person, esp. a child (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.). See Spreit, 2.; 2. tirnness, rage, anger, strong displeasure (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); 3. tirnrie, id. (Sh. 1972); 4. tairensie, taerincy, tearansi, -y, id., fury, violent behaviour (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.).3. Sh. 1964 Nordern Lichts 14:
Da grit seas dunned wi tirnrie.4. Sh. 1896 J. Burgess Lowra Biglan's Mutch 54:
He can't touch a scaar of dram without Kirstie gettin' into a taerincy 'at's most fairfil.
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"Tirn adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tirn>
