Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RENAIG, v., n. Also renaige; renege; renaygue; reneeg. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. renegue. [rə′neg; rə′nig]

I. v. 1. To refuse to perform work, to shirk, to shy away from a responsibility, engagement or challenge. Gen.(exc. I.)Sc.; of a horse: to jib (Abd., Fif. 1968).Uls. a.1908 Traynor (1953):
Several fellows drinking and one shirks standing treat when his turn comes (he) would be said to renegue.Edb. c.1930:
When he picked on the ring-leader of one of these gangs, and challenged him to a fight the youth and his friends renaiged (i.e. declined the challenge). Later he said “If you handle them that way, they always renaig”.wm.Sc. 1945 T. Hanlin Once in every Lifetime xiv.:
“In ye go”, urged Menzies. “You can't renege now”.Arg. 1952 N. Mitchison Lobsters on the Agenda xii.:
Man, you're never reneeging and you so keen and speaking away at the Committee.

2. To deny (Arg. 1936 L. McInnes S. Kintyre 15). Obs. in Eng.

II. n. The withholding of a trump in cards, a revoke (Lnk. 1891 N. & Q. (Ser. 7.) XI. 78).Uls. 1953 Traynor:
That's a renage.