Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1848
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TONE, n. Sc. usage: a long-drawn-out way of speaking, a drawl. Hence toner, one who talks endlessly on the same subject (Ayr.4 1928; Lnk., Kcb. 1972).Hdg. 1848 A. Somerville Autobiog. Working Man 173:
In Loudan the women are so slow at their work, and have such a long tone to their words, that when they speak they stop their work until the tone comes to an end.
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"Tone n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 16 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/tone>
