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: 1724-1808
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†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.
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"Gain v., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gain_v_adj>
