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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.

VERSANT, adj. With in, with: versed in or conversant with a subject, etc., familiar with, knowing the ways of (Sc. 1787 J. Beattie Scoticisms 99). This usage was considered to be a Scotticism in the 18th c. and most early instances are from Sc. writers or sources.Sc. 1711 Earls Crm. (Fraser 1876) II. 125:
Tho' I have all the inclination imaginable to serve the Dutchess, I am but litle versant in such matters.
Sc. 1766 W. Gordon General Counting House 3:
Any person versant in accounts.
Sc. 1787 J. Howie Reformation Principles Re-exhibited 150:
The Author being mostly versant with country-people.
Sc. 1809 Address to Landed Interest on Distillation 94:
Any who are versant in agricultural pursuits.
Wgt. 1912 A.O.W.B. Fables frae French 60:
[He] thocht himsel weel Versant in lear, but aye was seekin' mair.

[O.Sc. versant, id., 1677.]

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"Versant adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 28 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/versant>

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