Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1778-1825, 1892, 1952
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TRY, v., n. Also trey.
I. v.
Sc. form of Eng. try.Ork. 1952 R. T. Johnston Stenwick Days (1984) 92:
"Er thoo treyed a process o' elimeenation?" Mrs Cursiter asked. "Id's affen a geud wey tae find oot whar, an' whar no tae suspect."
Sc. †usages:
1. With into: to ask or enquire into. Obs.Ayr. 1792 Session Bk. Dundonald (1936) 525:
To discourse with her to try into the truth of that report.
2. Phr. to try it on, to make an attempt at. Also in n.Eng. dial.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 221:
It's a hard task . . . the time is so short. But I'll try it on.
3. Ppl.adj. in phr. a trying trotty, a trot to test the paces of a horse.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 56:
The taylor has nae bridled her, or tane a trying trotty o' her.
II. n. A trace or indication as to where something lost may be found (Cai. 1905 E.D.D.).n.Sc. 1825 Jam.:
I could get nae try o't.
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"Try v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/try>
