Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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Bening, Benigne, adj. and adv. Also: benyng, benygt. [ME. benigne, benygne (14th c.), also benyngne, benyng(e, OF. benigne, L. benignus.]

1. adj. Gracious, kindly, benign. Said of persons, and of their looks, actions, or qualities.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 160.
As patriarkis … Benyng of obedience c1475 Acts of Schir William Wallace i. 202.
He was … wys, curtas, and benyng a1500 Henr. Fab. 1644.
God … is gude, fair, wyis, and bening c1500-c1512 Dunb. x. 26.
All clergy … bow vnto that barne benyng 1531 Bell. Boece II. 82.
To cause him appeir benigne to the pepill 1567 Gude and Godlie Ballatis 49.
That blissit bairne bening and kynde 1570 Leslie 8.
Most dreid and bening soveraigne Lady 1596 Dalr. I. 167/1.
Sa humane, gentle, and bening, that … he grantis thame quhat thay craue 1626 Garden Worthies 30.
To a bountefull benigne [: king] … prince(2)1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 15.
Thankand ȝour excellence ... of ȝhur gracius benygt [sic] writyng1456 Hay I. 189/9.
Throu his benigne clemence a1499 Contemplacioun of Synnaris 1162.
God of his benyng bounte 1490 Irland I. 16/10.
With cherite and benyng interpretacioune 1513 Doug. iv. viii. 67.
Hys benyng eris 1513 Ib. vii. iv. 5.
With glaid semlant and vissage ful benyng 1535 Stewart 14154.
His wordis meik … and bening a1540 Freiris Berw. 423.
His bening grit besines and cure c1550 Rolland Court of Venus i. 573.
Lufe is bening and … amiable

b. Of planets or the air.a1500 Bk. Chess 6.
Iubiter the planet most benyng c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlviii. 32.
Thy air it is nocht holsum nor benyng

2. adv. Benignly, graciously.1535 Stewart 16657.
Ressaueand him richt blythlie and benyng In his seruice 1535 Ib. 31401.
Beseikand thame rycht hartlie and benyng For to ressaue than as thair prince and king This Alpynus