Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1804, 1866-1868
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HINT, v.2 To go about in a sly or furtive manner in order to further one's own interests, to slink about, to watch quietly, gen. followed by aboot, aifter or roon (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 77). Vbl.n. hintan, ppl.adj. hintin (Gregor).Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 44:
Ye robins hintin teet about, Fendin the frost.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 77:
He's eye hintin' aboot, an' fa's in wee mony a gueede bargain it anither misses . . . She . . . hints aboot aifter 'im a' wye it he gangs t' keep 'im fae the drink. . . . There's that hintin' cheekin' bodie again.Bnff. 1868 W. Garden Meg's Wedding 5:
The loons aft slyly hintit roun' Meg's dwellin', To catch a leuk o' her enchantin' ee.
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"Hint v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hint_v2>
