Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1804-1827, 1880-1933
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LOWSEN, v. Also lousen. Sc. forms of Eng. loosen (Bwk. 1942 Wettstein; n.Sc., Lth., Rnf., Kcb., s.Sc. 1961). Cf. Lowse, adj. Comb. loosening-time, = lowsin-time s.v. Lowse, v.1, 3. (5). [lʌusn]Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 88:
The oussen, lousen'd frae the plough.Sc. 1827 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) II. 37:
As if the earth were lowsen'd frae her moorins.Abd. 1880 W. Robbie Glendornie xxix.:
It'll lowsen the foondations o' society.Sc. 1887 Stevenson Underwoods 79:
Noo stachers upon lowsent legs, An' wears awa'.Kcb. 1897 T. Murray Poems 147:
There's nocht shall lowsen frien'ship's tie 'Tween you and me.Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 29:
I can feel my hairtstrings lowsenin'.Kcd. 1933 L. G. Gibbon Cloud Howe 63:
He habbered from nine until loosening-time, near, some story about some minister.
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"Lowsen v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/lowsen>
