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: 1914-1929
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KAN, n. 1. Charge, responsibility; one's particular method of doing a thing (Sh. 1959).Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Du micht dü better upo di ain kan.
†2. Magic art, witchcraft, “a superstitious term used when trying for fish” (Ork. 1929 Marw.). Cf. Can, n.2, 2.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
We're getten naething; I'm gaan tae run me line this time on Nellie o' H — 's kan.
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"Kan n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kan>
