Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Den, n.¹ Also: denne. [Variant of Dene n.¹, assimilated to Den n.², prob. through lack of stress in placenames.] ‘A hollow between hills; a dingle’ (J).Examples in early place-names are: Standenburne (1170), Dunenisden (c 1220), Assinden (c 1270), Strikerden (1275), Rammisden (a 1309), Harilauden (1327), Cloquhokis denne (1434). Also Denside (1304). c1575 Balfour Pract. 439.
Ane bord brokin in dennis deep Sall hald the lyne, and plumming keip 1540 Acts II. 379/2.
All and sindry the landis of Estire Wischart … with … the den of Logy, dam and damsched tharof 1551 Hamilton Cat. 23.
In the vail or den [L. in convalle] quharin thow usit to commit ydolatrie 1601 Reg. Great S. 417/2.
At the west syde of the said medow foiranent the Thrislie den 1602 Ib. 473/1.
Fra that south and ascendant be the said den to the Coilpot-burne 1618 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 370.
Ascending up the said Claithburne and den of the same till ane fuirde at the east syde of the Claithfauldis