Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1720, 1826, 1887-1898
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NA, int. An exclam. of surprise, really, indeed, good gracious! (Sh., ne.Sc. 1963). Also in phrs. na an' (there) noo, na sirs, id.Sc. 1720 A. Pennecuik Helicon 76:
Na, that dings all; but it's a Fiction.Ayr. 1826 Galt Last of Lairds xxii.:
"Na! " said Mrs Soorocks, taking his offered arm, "this is politeness."Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 170:
Na! that goon o' yours sets you aff!Bnff. 1894 A. Gordon Northward Ho 134, 314:
"Deil a bit! " "Na, an' noo! " "Aweel there, aweel! " burst from various voices. . . . "Na, an' there noo! " cry the three together.Sh. 1898 J. J. H. Burgess Tang ii.:
Na, bairns, see ye Inga? Dat's a fair new hat 'at shö haes on.
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"Na interj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/na_interj>
