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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.

KANN, v., n. Also kan(d), kyand. [k(j)ɑn]

I. v. 1. To see and recognise or identify at a distance (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1959); to clear up a matter in doubt, to throw light on relationship, to trace pedigree (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)).Ib.:
He is tryin' to kann de boat.

2. To inspect, count up, esp. to count cattle to see that none is missing (Jak., Angus).Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 176, 209:
The people were constantly among the hills tending their sheep and kyndin [sic] the cows. . . . The pör man's kye are shön kyanded.

II. n. Inspection and counting, esp. of cows which have been collected from the outfield (Jak.).

[O.N. kanna, to search, inspect, Norw. dial. kanna, id., to claim, check, Norw. kjendes ved, acknowledge, own, identify.]

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"Kann v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Mar 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/kann>

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