Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BANG, adj. [bɑŋ]

(1) Fierce, violent, vehement, strong.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 31:
Whylst Greece an' Rome kept their auld fire, An' gae nae scoup to lowse desire, An' Trowth an' Justice held i' fear, Fu bang they stood.Hdg. 1902 J. Lumsden Toorle, etc. 83:
Our Yeomanry — That Nursery o' the bangest human aiks Auld Scotland rears for her life's services.Rxb. 1825 Jam.²:
“A bang fire”; a strong fire, one that burns fiercely. [Now obsol. Watson Rxb. W.-B. (1923) 48.]

(2) “Agile, and at the same time powerful” (Jam.² 1825 for Rxb.).Rxb. 1848 R. Davidson Leaves 44: 
A band o' bang and sturdy chiels.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B. 48:
Bang, of persons: well-built, powerful, yet agile. “A stoot bang chap,” “a bang lass.”