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: 1879, 1964
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SPRONE, v., n. Also spro(a)n. [spro:n]
I. v. 1. intr. Of liquid; to spray, burst forth in a shower (Sh. 1971); specif. of birds: to void excrement (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 210, 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1971). Vbl.n. spronins, birds' excrement (Sh. 1886 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)).
2. tr. To bespatter, dirty, befoul, splash (Sh. 1971).Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (10 May):
Da haeviness care whaur ye stramp, whin a body canna geng atween der ain doors an' no be sproaned frae head ta fit wi' da laek o' yon.
3. Transf. To scatter, radiate, broadcast.Sh. 1964 New Shetlander No. 69. 25:
Da B.B.C. dey beelt a mast To sproan der signals oot bewast.
II. n. Birds' excreta (Sh. 1825 Jam., 1866 Edm. Gl., 1908 Jak. (1928)).Sh. 1879 Shetland Times (10 May):
The leader removed all that was detachable of the sproan.
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"Sprone v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 12 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sprone>
