Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PIRREN, n. Also pirrin; pirraina, pirrena (Jak.). [′pɪr(e)ən(ɑ)] A child, little one, gen. a little girl (Ork. 1825 Jam., pirraina; Sh., Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl.); a stunted sickly child, in fisher taboo-speech (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)). In pl., used of children in gen. (Ork. 1929 Marw., Ork. 1966).Ork. 1884 R. M. Fergusson Rambles 168:
We manna speak a word, Pirrin's noo sae cosy.Ork. 1903 G. Marwick Old Roman Plough (1936) 11:
To drive the horses from behind with reins, thus doing away with the pirrin, or “ca'ing bairn.”