Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

‡KINNEN, n. Also kinning; kunnin (Ork. 1929 Marw.) and Sh. forms kjun(n)in, -en, ki-, kj-, kyunnen, kyonin, kyoneen, kionnen (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 125, ‡Sh. 1960); können; cuning (Ork. 1891 Buckley & Harvie-Brown Fauna Ork. 88). A rabbit (Sc. 1808 Jam.). [Sc. ′kɪnən; Sh. ′kjɪ-, ′kjø-]Peb. 1715 A. Pennecuik Tweeddale 105:
Kinnings, capons, and sic toys.Sc. 1794 J. Ritson Sc. Songs (1869) II. 302:
Wheit-breid and wine, and a kinnen new slain.Slk. 1824 Hogg Shepherd's Cal. (1874) xii.:
The Snaw-fleck sits busy in the neuk, as sleek as a kinnen.Hdg. 1883 J. Martine Reminisc. 322:
A Morham weaver . . . had a “hobby” for keeping tame rabbits or “kinnings.”Sh. 1888 B. R. Anderson Broken Lights 78:
An' never swöre by Guid or Deil Excep' whan kyunnens ate his kail.Hdg. 1902 J. Lumsden Toorle 112:
The squirrels an' the kinnens jinkin' out an' in!Sh. 1952 J. Hunter Taen wi da Trow 17:
Dey [trows] lived laek kjunnins under grund.