Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1809-1813, 1912
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SAUNTER, v., n. Also santer. Sc. usages:
I. v. 1. In comb. and deriv. saunter-gabit, slow or deliberate in speech. See Gab, n.1, 2. (3); sauntersome, slow, leisurely, unhurried (Wgt. 1969).Rnf. 1813 G. MacIndoe Wandering Muse 110:
Tho' saunter-gabit, sough an saft.Dmf. 1912 Scotsman (26 Jan.):
There is a story of a lady travelling in a train with a countryman who remarked to her, "It's a taiglesome journey this, mem." The lady, not understanding, said, "I beg your pardon." The man then said, to explain his meaning, "They're a sauntersome set here, mem." The lady again "begged pardon," when the man in disgust said, "It's a very slow train."
2. To trifle, play about in a casual offhand manner.Rnf. a.1810 R. Tannahill Poems (1900) 140:
Get up, my Muse, and soun thy chanter, Nae langer wi our feelings santer.
II. n. A foolish scruple, an excuse, a shilly-shally (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 325), ? sc. a hesitant, leisurely approach to an action.
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"Saunter v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/saunter>
