Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1828, 1912
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DARKENING, Derk(e)nin(g), vbl. n. Twilight, gloaming (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, derkening; 1923 Watson W.-B., derkenin, derknin(g), darkening); usu. with def. art. Gen.Sc. Also in n.Eng. dial. (E.D.D.).Sc. 1828 Trial William Burke 78:
I could not tell you, Sir, the hour; it was not very long after I left Burke's house the first time; I left it at the darkening.Ork. c.1912 J. Omond Ork. 80 Years Ago 11:
The bonfires were lighted in the darkening, after the kye were taken home.Edb. 1828 D. M. Moir Mansie Wauch (1839) x.:
I never likit to gang into the kirkyard after darkening, let a be to sit there through a lang winter night.
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"Darkening n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/darkening>
