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: 1728, 1818-1925
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DROW, n.2 Also drowe. An attack ofillness, a fainting-fit, a stupor (Abd. 1825 Jam.2, Abd., Ags., Fif. 1950); “a state of partial insensibility in dying persons” (Ags. 1808 Jam.); a spasm (of anxiety, etc.) (Abd.7 1925). Adj. drowie, sickly, ailing. [drʌu]Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xviii.:
The lady confessed in my hearing, that a drow of anxiety had come ower her for her son that she had left at hame weak of a decay.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xix.:
He made oot to win free o' the meetin' by feingyin' a drow.Per. 1895 R. Ford Tayside Songs 194:
Twas musin' further thus, belyve, he fell into a drowe.Fif. 1867 J. Morton C. Gray 115:
A drowie thing I used to be, An' meikle toil ye've haen wi' me.Fif. 1900 “S. Tytler” Jean Keir xiv.:
The change o' air and scene will set you up, from just a bit drow and fever that has overcome you.Knr. 1925 “H. Haliburton” Horace in Homespun 217:
She looks like a maid In a drow or a dream.Lnk. 1728 P. Walker Life A. Peden (1827) 107:
There was a Drow of Anxiety overwhelmed her about him.s.Sc. 1835–40 J. M. Wilson (ed.) Tales of Borders V. 95:
The puir callant 's fa'en into a drow, an' I'm feared he's gaun to dee.
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"Drow n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/drow_n2>
