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: 1700-1713, 1773-1826, 1885-1933
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VACANCE, n. Also vacans(e), vaecans, vakens (Fif. 1897 D. Pryde Queer Folk 119), vakins (Slk. 1893 R. Hall Schools 43); vagans, vaigance, vaigands (s.Sc.). Construed as pl. in 1795 quot. [′vekəns; s.Sc. + ′vegəns]
1. A vacation, a holiday, a period of suspension of business or other function (Sc. 1752 D. Hume Polit. Discourses 56, 1825 Jam.; ‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also attrib. as in vacance-time.Abd. 1700 Records Burgh Abd. (B.R.S.) II. 331:
The first three lawfull dayes of Januarie be allowed to the schollars for play dayes, instead of the Yooll vaicance.Sc. 1713 Two Students (Dickinson 1952) 35:
Alexander says he designs to read Homer this vacance.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 128:
Tho' their stamack's aft in tift, In vacance time.Sc. 1795 Dunlop Papers (1953) III. 113:
George was left with Mr Allisson till the vacance which take place about the tenth of next month.Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 241:
The Edinburgh Military Academy, on the Saturday afore their vacanse.m.Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 58:
When ye was about Edinburgh way at the vaecans.Lnk. 1910 C. Fraser Glengonnar 85:
He was a young Colleginer wha cam' frae the toon in the College vacans.s.Sc. 1933 Border Mag. (Aug.) 115:
The “vagans” was on and the law courts in recess.
2. A vacancy, an unfilled post or situation (Sc. 1787 J. Beattie Scoticisms 99).Sc. 1788 J. Mill Diary (S.H.S.) 83:
The death of Dundas of Arniston, President of the Court of Session had made such a vacance that could hardly be supplied.
