vbl. sb. Sc. [f. SORN v.] The action or practice of exacting free quarters and maintenance, or of living at the expense of others.
1506. Exch. Rolls Scotl., XII. 704. That ye hald courtis … for stanching of slauchtir, sornyng and oppression.
1563–4. Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 271. Colin Campbell … sall ansuer him self for the samyn crymes, sornyngis, oppressionis, and offencis.
1669. in Macfarlane’s Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.), I. 63. The Outragious Sornings of Glengairrie’s Followers.
1678. Sir G. Mackenzie, Crim. Laws Scot., I. xxxiv. § iii. (1699), 161. An habitual, and constant trade of Robbing, and sorning, is libelled.
1753. Scots Mag., Sept., 468/2. John Gun, for theft and sorning, was sentenced to be hanged.
1754. Erskine, Princ. Sc. Law (1809), 514. Under which class may be included sorning, or the taking of meat and drink by force, without paying for it.
1829. Scott, Antiq., Advert., All laws against sorning, masterful beggary, and every other species of mendicity, being suspended in favour of this privileged class.
1900. R. J. Drummond, Relat. Apost. Teaching, i. 15. Faith was made a plea for indolence and sorning.
So Sorning ppl. a.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, viii. A poaching, sorning sort of fallow.
1893. Agnew, Hered. Sheriffs Galloway, II. xxxi. 65. This sorning band, who had lived for days at free quarters.
