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: 1813-1868, 1925
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‡GLIFFIN(G), vbl.n. 1. The time required to give a hurried glance, a moment, an instant (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Gen. found in phr. in a gliffin(g).Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxii.:
I'll speak to these gentlemen in a gliffing.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 38:
And in a gliffin' ilka bishop Ramm'd in his hand and cleik'd his fish up.Dmb. 1868 J. Salmon Gowodean 28:
Scarce for a gliffin stemmed the murky cloud.Sc. 1925 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 277:
Ma fire 'll sune thow't [treacle] tho', syne I'll rin't aff in a gliffin.
†2. “A sudden glow of heat” (Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems, Gl.); a flash, gleam. Also fig.Sc. 1839 Wilson's Tales of the Borders V. 91:
Oor countrywomen, wha, even in the maist savage times, werena a'thegither without some gliffins o' natural affection.
†3. A shock of fright or surprise.Rnf. 1813 E. Picken Poems II. 47:
To the spat as Watty keekit, Nell slade reckless i' the tide, Hech! it was an unco gliffin.
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"Gliffin vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 2 Aug 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gliffing>
