Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1741-1796, 1895-1915
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†TOSS, n.2, v.2 Dim. tossie.
I. n. A drink to the health or prosperity of someone or something, a toast (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.); the subject of a toast, a reigning beauty, a popular person.Sc. 1741 Caled. Mercury (March) 24:
The chief Toss over their Bottle was, May the Freedom of Elections be preserved for ever and a Day!Abd. 1768 A. Ross Works (S.T.S.) 153:
The dandilly toss of the parish Is marri'd and woo'd an' a'.Inv. 1775 A. Ross Freemasonry in Inv. (1877) 96:
The proper tosses drunk and songs sung.Ayr. 1796 Burns Lass o' Ecclefechan i.:
A' forbye my bonie sel, The toss o' Ecclefechan!Lnk. 1895 W. Stewart Lilts 31:
A' on edge to gie ye A tossie, true Scotch welcome in.Dmf. 1915 J. L. Waugh Betty Grier 205:
Robert, a great toss amang the lassies.
II. v. To drink to the health or success of, to toast (s.Sc. 1825 Jam.).Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 261:
After two or three healths the ministry was tossed.
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"Toss n.2, v.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Feb 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/toss_n2_v2>
