Fwd: "langsyne" - Word of the Day from the OED

[Dave Monroe]

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From: <oedwotd at oup.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 30, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Subject: "langsyne" - Word of the Day from the OED
To: OEDWOTD-AMER-L at webber.uk.hub.oup.com


OED Online Word of the Day
________________________________

langsyne, adv. (n.)

SECOND EDITION 1989
Sc.

(læsan)  [Properly two words: see LONG adv. and SYNE adv.]

    Long since, long ago. Also n. esp. in auld lang syne. (Somewhat
common in English use with allusion to Burns's song.)

1500-20 DUNBAR Poems xxiv. 34, I had bene deid langsyne, dowtless.
1570 Satir. Poems Reform. xvii. 3 In eirth lang syne yair had been
nothing than, Saif only vice. a1774 FERGUSSON Poems (1807) 309
Hame-o'er langsyne you hae been blithe to pack. 1788 BURNS Auld Lang
Syne, For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll tak a cup
o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. 1820 SCOTT Monast. iv, Like what
I hae seen langsyne, when we dwelt at Avenel. 1841 LYTTON Nt. & Morn.
II. vii, A friend..of the happy lang syne. 1870 H. SMART Race for Wife
ii, In days lang syne.

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