Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

‡RING, v.³, n.³ Also rigne (wm.Sc. 1710 Descr. Sheriffdom Lnk. and Rnf. (M.C.) 19). [rɪŋ, earlier rɪɲ]

I. v. A. Forms. Pa.t. strong rang, rung, after Ring, v.²; weak ringed.

B. Usages: 1. To reign, to exercise rule or dominion, of a monarch or of one holding an office of authority (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also fig. Obs. exc. poet.Sc. 1713 R. Wodrow Analecta (M.C.) II. 218:
What Emperour rang, what year of his reigne it was.Sc. 1724 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) III. 88:
A King then sall ring then.Edb. 1773 Fergusson Poems (S.T.S.) II. 217:
So Philip, it is said, who wou'd ring O'er Macedon a just and gude King.Slg. 1804 G. Galloway Poems 47:
When kings they rang in Stirling.Abd. 1810 W. Edwards Poems 35:
Lang may George owre this nation ring.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 73:
Whare Babylon, in gowden pride Ance like a queen did ring.Ags. 1840 G. Webster Ingliston xxx.:
Lord keep us frae the powers that are ringin' at this present time.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr. Duguid 24:
The Rev. Mr Curl ringed in his stead.Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables 40:
Bricht Simmer rang; the yirth was vera dry.Sc. 1928 T. T. Alexander Psalms xciii. 1:
The Lord wi' majestie is cled, And He alane dis ring.

2. To rant or storm in a domineering manner, to rampage, to behave in an overbearing way.Ayr. 1822 Galt Provost xxxvi.:
In her cups she would rant and ring fiercer than old Queen Elizabeth.Ags. 1896 A. Blair Rantin Robin 159:
Aye she kept ringin on me aboot it.

3. To domineer, overrule, gen. in ppl.adj. ringan, ringin(g), masterful, overbearing, obstreperous, domineering, energetic (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 144; Mry.¹ 1925), freq. used with intensive force = out and out, thorough-going, downright (Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Cai., Bnff., m.Lth. 1968), also adv. = with ease, forcefully (Bnff. 1968).Mry. 1804 R. Couper Poetry I. 106:
The Baron's sister's rankling voice Ay rings the Baron mair.Ayr. 1834 Galt Liter. Life III. 8:
I was as rank a ringing enemy as ony laddie that ever played at pitch and toss with a lumbie.Peb. 1836 J. Affleck Poet Wks. 85:
Wha can thole a ringing devil, Ever raging air and late?Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 144:
We did it ringin.Edb. 1882 J. Smith Canty Jock 59:
I've been made a fair ringin' deevil.Bnff. 1902 E.D.D.:
Gee me fair mackaingie o't, an' a'll dee't ringin'.Fif. 1938 Daily Record (23 June):
When fathers are at sea nine months in the year, the home parent must be firm, otherwise the bairns will become “ringin' augents”.

II. n. A reign.Sc. 1827 R. Chambers Picture Scot. II. 180:
Gin he ever be king, there'll be nae gude i' his ring.Ags. 1830 Perthshire Advert. (29 July):
A new king, and a bloody ring.