Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1827, 1913, 1973
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†DISTANCE, n. and v. Also distan, desstance.
1. n.
(1) Difference, distinction (Abd. 1825 Jam.2).
(2) Quarrelling, discord, mischief. Obs in Eng. (2)Ork. 1973 Orcadian (8 July):
Thoo're workan desstance-You're getting into mischief.
2. v. To distinguish (Ib.).Sc. 1827 G. R. Kinloch Ancient Sc. Ballads 205:
For an I war dead, and ye war dead And baith in ae grave laid, O . . . Wha could distan your mouls frae mine, O?Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. 174:
They . . . can hardlies be distan'd cept be a spiritual an' innartlie lichten'd man.
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"Distance n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/distance>
