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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BLEEZE, Bleise, n.¹ Gen.Sc. forms of St.Eng. blaze, n. The form blaze is also found in Sc. [bli:z, ble:z Sc.; ble¹:z Ags.]

Sc. form of Eng. blaze.Edb. 1991 J. K. Annand in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 20:
Aneath a hap o snaw it derns
Deep in a dwam for maist the year
To burst throu in a bleeze o starns
Syne skail its flourish on the stour.wm.Sc. 1995 Alan Warner Morvern Callar 86:
I'd got a fair bleeze going the night before so's to keep the midges at bay.em.Sc. 1999 James Robertson The Day O Judgement 11:
The sun, heich lantren o the lift,
Blinters an fades forenent his bleeze.
Afore the brichtness o his face
It dwines an dees.

Sc. usages:

1. “A torch, esp. used when spearing fish” (Abd.², Abd.⁹ 1934).Ags. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XII. 294; Ayr. 1934 (per Kcb.¹):
The black-fishers . . . wade up and down upon the shallows, preceded by a great torch, or blaze, as it is called.

2. “A bonfire, esp. in phr. Halloweven blaze” (Ags.² 1934).

3. †“A signal made by fire. In this sense it is still used at some ferries, where it is customary to kindle a bleise, when a boat is wanted from the opposite side” (Sc. 1808 Jam.).

4. Combs.: (1) Bleeze-money, “the gratuity given to schoolmasters by their pupils at Candlemas; when he or she, who gives most, is proclaimed king or queen, and is considered as under obligation to invite the whole school, that is, all the subjects for the time being” (Lth., Rxb. 1825 Jam.²). Also known to Kcb.¹ 1934. See also Candlemas-bleeze s.v. Candlemas.w.Dmf. 1899 J. Shaw Country Schoolmaster 344:
Bleeze-money, money presented to the teacher at Candlemas. Some old people recollect when candles were lighted as a part of the ceremony.Rxb. 1902 Hist. Hawick from 1832 70:
In Mr Murray's time [a.1853] the scholars used to give a donation to the teacher at Candlemas which was known as “Bleeze Money,” he in return giving a football. [Cf. O.Sc. blese-, bleis-silver, a gratuity at Candlemas (1598). (See D.O.S.T.)]

(2) Bleeze-money day, the day — i.e. Candlemas — on which bleeze-money was given.Rxb. 1908 Hawick Arch. Soc. Trans. 73/2:
“Barring out day” became better known [c.1840] as “bleeze-money day,” on account of a voluntary contribution on the part of the children towards the upkeep of fires in the school during the winter season.

5. Phrases: (1) in a bleeze (blaze), see quots.; (2) to gae to bleeze, to go to perdition, “blazes”; (3) to have a bleise, see quot.(1) Bnff.² 1928; Ags.¹ 1934:
Corn is in a bleeze when the whole field is suddenly ripe.Abd. 1914 T.S.D.C. I.:
“Yer neeps are in a blaze” — ready to be thinned.(2) Bnff. 1909 Bnffsh. Jnl. (29 Dec.) 3; Abd.² 1934:
An' gabbin' Churchy an' his lees Wi' a' the crew may gang to bleeze Free Trade an' a'.(3) n.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
In the North of S. a stranger, if the fire be low, is asked if he would have a bleise; i.e. the fire kindled up by furze, broom, or any brushwood that burns quickly, so as to give a strong heat.