Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768, 1923-1949
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FLOAN, v., n. Also flon(e). [flo:n]
I. v. 1. Absol. and with on: to show affection (for), esp. in a silly, sloppy way and gen. of a woman towards men (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.); to fawn (Abd.7 1925; Abd.27 1952).Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 11:
An, for the geeglits that gae to the glen, An' night an' day are floaning o' the men.Bnff. 1949 per Abd.27:
It's ill-faurt tae floan afore folk.
2. To lounge, recline lazily, to loaf (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 49; Mry. 1916 T.S.D.C. II., flon; ne.Sc. 1952); to hang over the fire idly, to lean upon her lover, of a woman (Gregor).
II. n. 1. A lying-down, reclining, a short rest (ne.Sc. 1952).Abd. 1923 Swatches o' Hamespun 57:
Geordie (stodgin intae the chaumar at the neepor toon an' seein Tam takin a flone).
†2. A lazy, untidy person, esp. a woman (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 49).
[Prob. of Scand. orig. Cf. Norw., Sw. dial. flana, Dan. flane, to gad about, to be flighty or frivolous, of a woman, a coquette. For the rounding of the vowel, cf. P.L.D. §133.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Floan v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Jul 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/floan>
