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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

NOTION, n. Also notian (Ork. 1911 Old-Lore Misc. IV. iv. 85). Sc. form and usages:

1. A liking or affection, esp. for a person of the opposite sex, a fancy (Sc. a.1838 Jam. MSS. X. 217; Abd. 1882 W. Alexander My Ain Folk 131; Uls. 1953 Traynor), followed by o' tae, til. Gen.Sc., also in n.Eng. dial.Sc. 1789 Shepherd's Wedding 14:
I hae lang, altho' I didna tell, Had a strong notion o' the lass mysel'.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 226:
In the regular routine of a matrimonial transaction; first taking the notion; secondly, courting.Mry. 1873 J. Brown Round Table Club 374:
Gin ony o' ye hae a notion o' the dambrod.Wgt. 1877 G. Fraser Wigtown 338:
A spinster in the neighbourhood had “a notion” of him — was, in fact, only waiting till he would “speer” her.Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 28:
Does he hae ony scaar iv a notion o' her ava?Arg. 1901 N. Munro Doom Castle xxxv.:
She had a notion o' the Frenchman frae the first glisk o' him.Abd. 1920 G. P. Dunbar Peat Reek 39:
For a notion he'd ta'en tae the fowk o' Drumclack.Ork. 1952 R. T. Johnston Stenwick Days (1984) 83:
"The sooner thoo're feenished wi' Gabriel Stoot the better. He his a notion on Portia Rosie." wm.Sc. 1980 Anna Blair The Rowan on the Ridge 34:
"If she still has a notion of you, and if you've a cot bigged by Martinmas, you'll can marry her wi' my mither's blessin' ..." Ayr. 1999:
She's got a notion o ye/fur ye. [fancies you]

2. Derivs.: (1) notional, full of whims or caprices (Gall. 1925 Trans. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 33). Also in U.S.; (2) notionate, pa.p., id. (Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl.; Ayr. 1921; Uls. 1924 W. Lutton Montiaghisms 30; Kcb. 1964); obstinate, headstrong. Also in U.S.(1) Sc. 1926 L. Moon Drumorty 101:
They were “very notional,” and would bring a suit back again and again for alterations.(2) Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxv.:
He was a “notionate” old fellow the elder Mains of Yawal, and would be obeyed.Wgt. 1877 “Saxon” Gall. Gossip 132:
He was . . . a terrible notionate buddy, and he took a craze for everything Dutch.