Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1818-1924, 1991-2003
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ALOW, ALOWE, adv.2. On fire; ablaze; also fig. [ə′lʌu, and see P.L.D. §106]Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian xlv.:
To speak to him about that . . . wad be to set the kiln alow.Sc. 1825 Jam.2:
To gang a-low, to take fire, or to be set on fire.Sc. 1924 "Domsie" in Edb. Ev. News (24 Dec.) 4/7:
The ingle fire alowe I'll leave Tae bleeze awa intae the mornin'.m.Sc. 1991 William Neill in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 48:
Thay hae thair freens athin this keep
whaur traison's cantrips growe,
an while ye're liggin fast asleep
they'll sett the hoose alowe. Edb. 1844 J. Ballantine Gaberlunzie's Wallet iii.:
O cauld maun the heart be that's no set a-lowe, When honour's green wreath circles eild's snawy pow.Edb. 2003:
The lum's alow!Lnk. 1923 G. Rae 'Mang Lowland Hills 26:
The kirk was cheerie wi' the sichts, It set the wee man's hairt alow.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales (1837) II. 170:
He set them baith back the gate they cam, as their heads had been a-lowe.Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn. 2:
Alowe, lit; kindled; on fire.
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"Alow adv.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/alow_adv2>
