Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TAND, n. Also taand, taund. [tɑ:nd]

1. A spark of fire, a piece of burning coal or peat, a firebrand (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., 1914 Angus Gl.; Ork. 1929 Marw.; Sh. 1972).Sh. 1888 B. R. Anderson Broken Lights 97:
O dünna lay da cauld clods up ta da lowin taands.Sh. 1893 Sinclair MS. 2:
Haddin a clean cloot oot afore her cotts, fornent da taands ta dry.Sh. 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 178:
A “lowan-taund” carried three times round a witch's cow restored “the profit” of the milk of the neighbour's cow affected through the witch's trick.Sh. 1958 New Shetlander No. 46. 25:
Blazin paets, lowin taands, burnin emmers.

2. A hereditary tinge, trace, stain, “spark”; an inherited bad habit (Ork. 1972).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Every ill tand o' her mither comes oot in her too.