Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1768-1935
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DRING, v.3, adj., n.2
1. v. To loiter, to delay, to linger (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 185; Uls. 1880 Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.). Pa.t. drung.Sc.(E) 1935 W. Soutar Poems 49:
Whaur yet the onding drung in dubs Abüne the clappit clay.Rnf. 1835 D. Webster Rhymes 170:
The poor bodies may rin, They may hing, the[y] may dring.Dwn. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 70:
Gae busk yeirsel', an' come awa', An' dinna sit here dringin'.Ant. 1892 Ballymena Obs.:
Come on, what are you dringm there for?
Comb.: dring-tail, (1) a tabu-name for a cat (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); (2) the otter (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); cf. drillaskøvi, s.v. Drill, v.2
2. adj. Slow, dilatory, slow-acting.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 88:
I'll wad her cuintray fouk sall no be dring In seeking her, and gar us sadly rew.Abd. after 1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherd in MS. Wks. III. 114:
We'll seek no Doctors nor their dring receipts They're only surest to increase fouks debts.
3. n. A lazy, indolent person (Ant. a.1873 F. Grose MS. Add.; Uls.3 1930).Lnk. 1799 J. Struthers Poet. Wks. (1850) II. 203:
The captive o' some dudron dring Dull, fat an' frowsy.
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"Dring v.3, adj., n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dring_v3_adj_n2>
