Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1826, 1898-1933
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‡CHANT, Chaunt, n. and v. [tʃɑnt]
1. n. (1) "Pert language" (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 24); (2) "A person much given to pert language" (Ib.). Not known to our Bnff. correspondents.
Hence †(1) chantie, "a pert child" (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.); †(2) chantie-beak, "a prattling child, a chatter-box" (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2; 1923 Watson W.-B., obs.).
2. v. ‡(1) "To speak much in a pert manner" (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 24); to answer back. Ppl.adj. chantin', "loquacious and at the same time pert" (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2; 1923 Watson W.-B., obsol.).Abd. 1826 D. Anderson Poems 100:
The queans did cheery scour alang, An' chaunt up to the fellows.Abd.4 1933:
Fat are ye chantin' there for? I'se gie ye something tae chant for gin ye stan' lang there.
(2) "To speak with a twang or strange accent" (Ork. 1887 Jam.6, chaunt).Hence chanter, see quot. Ork. 1898 E.D.D.:
"Boy, thoo're chantan'," is a common remark addressed to a young man who revisits his home and omits to resume his ancient drawl.Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 11:
It was said he had acquired a "chanter" (a southern accent) in record time, even for an Orcadian.
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"Chant n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 9 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/chant>
