Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1701, 1786-1925, 1999
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PACK, adj. On intimate and friendly terms, linked by mutual feeling or understanding, in league, confederate (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Uls. 1953 Traynor; Per., Fif., Lth., wm. and s.Sc., Uls. 1965). Also used adv. as in 1882 quot. (Dmf. 1874 R. Wanlock Moorland Rhymes 187). Derivs. packness, n., friendship, harmony (Cld. 1825 Jam.), packlie, packlike, adv., in a friendly manner, familiarly (Ib.).Gall. 1701 Session Bk. Minnigaff (1939) 56:
Its reported of on John Roxborrough under mala fama with on Jean M'Kie, another mans wife, that they are too pack togethir.Ayr. 1786 Burns Twa Dogs 37–8:
Nae doubt but they were fain o' ither, An' unco pack an' thick thegither.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 333:
I'll down three guineas; whan he does them see He'll jump bauke hich, an' be fou pack wi' me.Sc. 1825 Scots Mag. (Jan.) 73:
Wha did he see but the twa Advocates, as thick and pack as dog-heads, laughing and gaffawing awa' at the hits they had gi'en ane anither.Dmb. 1844 W. Cross Disruption x.:
I couldna help speirin' . . . wha was the auld gentleman wi' the scuppit beaver ye were gaun wi' sae pack-like.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 71:
Wi' thee I'se soon be pack acquantit.Ags. 1890 A. Lowson J. Guidfollow 34:
Fat can Wattie . . . mean by bein' sae thick an' pack wi' yon sow-mou'd whaup?Sc. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxix.:
Him and me were never onyways pack; we used to girn at ither like a pair of pipers.Kcb. 1901 Alexander Trotter East Galloway Sketches 99:
Robert Cairnon and him were whiles as pack as dogs-heads; at other times they were at variance.Ayr. 1901 G. Douglas Green Shutters vi.:
But, for a' so pack's they had been, Gourlay never looked near him.Dmf. 1925 Cadger's Creel (Douglas) 82:
Ou ay — Rob an' me were aye fell pack.Ayr. 1999:
Unco pack and thick thegither. [very intimate and friendly]
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"Pack adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 7 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/pack_adj>


