Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1847, 1904-1917
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BOUN, Boun', Boune, Bowne, v., pa.p. and ppl.adj. [bʌun, bun]
1. v., tr. and intr. "To make ready, to prepare" (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Abd.2 1935); to betake oneself.Sc. 1796 Scott William and Helen xxxvi.:
Strong love prevail'd: She busks, she bounes, She mounts the barb behind.Sc. [1814] Scott Waverley (1829), App. II. to Gen. Preface:
We will all bowne ourselves for the banquet.Sc. 1904 Hind Etin in Ballads (ed. Child) No. 41A xliv.:
Win up, win up now, Young Akin, Win up, and boun wi me.s.Sc. 1847 H. S. Riddell Poems 216:
In cappers, right canty, our steeds we bestride, And bowne to the Foray on our Border-side.
2. pa.p and ppl.adj. See also Boon, pa.p. or ppl.adj.
(1) Ready, prepared, dressed.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 88:
For her he just was like to burn the town, An' to seek for her, made him shortly boun.m.Sc. 1917 J. Buchan Poems 45:
It was the'oor when troots are boun' To gulp the May-flee floatin' doun.
(2) Bound (for); ready to start.Sc. 1822 A. Cunningham Trad. Tales I. 111:
A lady so fair and so young, bowne on such a dangerous and unwonted journey.Mry. 1830 T. D. Lauder Moray Floods iii.:
"I am little used to wait thus for any man," exclaimed the chafed chieftain, "and still less for thee Pollochock, especially when such game is a-foot as we are boune after!"
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"Boun v., p.p., ppl. adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/boun_v_pp_ppl_adj>
