Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

AICHAN, Aiken, Achen, n.² The cockle-shell, Cardium.Cld. 1887 Jam.⁶:
Aichan, aiken, achen, s. A small bivalve (Mactra subtruncata, Da Costa) found in sandy bays of the Firth of Clyde. . . . Myriads of aichan shells were dug up near Dumbreck, by the workmen engaged in cutting the canal between Glasgow and Paisley.Dmb. 1818 Visitor II. 233:
The bivalve sort, commonly called aichans.