Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

†GAIN, Gane, v., adj.

I. v. 1. To suffice, serve, last.Sc. 1724 Ramsay T. T. Misc. (1733) 61:
Clout the auld, the new are dear, Janet, Janet; Ae pair may gain ye haff a year, My jo Janet.Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs II. 120:
The half of that will gane you yet, If a wayward wife obtain you yet.Dmb. 1777 Weekly Mag. (3 July) 20:
He fand the guid man restan at the door, On seat that gain'd the laird in days o' yore.Sc. 1803 Scott Minstrelsy III. 66:
For I brought as much white monie, As gane my men and me.

2. To fit.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
That coat does nae gane him, it does not fit him, as implying that it is too wide, or too narrow.

II. adj. Of a road: straight, direct. Superl. gainest. Obs. in Eng. since 17th cent., but widespread in Eng. dial.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 17:
She ran an' skream'd, an' roove out at her hair, An' to the glens the gainest gate can fare.