A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1400, 1475-1550, 1603-1605
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Bene, a. and adv. Also: beine, beyn(e. [ME. bene (rare), of obscure origin.]
1. adj. In good condition.a1400 Legends of the Saints xl. 523.
Sone wes the coble haile & bene As it wes euir, foroutyn wene
2. Of places: Pleasant, agreeable, yielding comfortable shelter or warmth; cosy.a1500 Henr. Fab. 1338.
On sleip I fell amang thir bewis bene a1500 Id. Orph. 161.
My bed sall be … In buskis bene 1513 Doug. vi. v. 36.
As … byrdis … Quhom the cald sesson cachis owr the see, Into sum benar realm and warm cuntre 1513 Ib. vii. Prol. 89.
The callour ayr … Maid seik warm stovis and beyn fyris hoyt 1533 Bell. Livy II. 149/9.
Somer fowlis, quhilkis fleis (als sone as hervist cummys) to sum bene hous or secrete hollis to be thare habitatioun c1550 Rolland Court of Venus ii. 130.
Thair riche array, and thair habillement … So bene, so big, and so auripotent
3. In a comfortable state or condition.a1500 Taill of Rauf Coilȝear 679.
Blyth byrdis abufe, and bestiall full bene 1603 Philotus xi.
He wantis na jewels claith nor waith, Bot is baith big and beine
4. Liberal, generous.a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xiii. 31.
Love maks the niggard bene
5. adv. Handsomely; liberally; comfortably.a1500 Golagros and Gawane 601; a1500 Ib. 688.
His birny and his basnet, burnist ful bene a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 417.
Quhair is thy chalmer … With burely bed and bankouris browderit bene? c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace vi. 159.
The multitude wyth wappynys burnist beyne c1475 Ib. 546.
Wallace knew weill … The kings palȝon, quhar it was buskit beyne a1500 Prestis of Peblis 78.
Syne in ane hal … He harbourit al his burgessis rich and bene 1513 Doug. xiii. ix. 76.
Saturn … full beyn Tawcht thame to grub the wynys
