A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1499-1513
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Levin, n. Also: levyn(e, lewyne. [ME. (? orig. east midl. and north.) levene (Gen. & Ex.), leven (Cursor M.), levin (Havelok), e.m.E. leav'n, levin, of obscure origin. In Sc. common only in Douglas.] Lightning, a flash of lightning; also, bright light. — a1500 Golagros and Gawane 1043.]
[Sall neuer sege vnder son se me with schame Na luke on my lekame with light nor with leme (: nevin, evin, sevin) 1513 Doug. i. ii. 64.
The skyis oft lychtnyt with fyry levin [Sm. lewyne] 1513 Ib. iii. iii. 96.
The brokkyn skyis rappis furth thunderis levin 1513 Ib. vii. Prol. 10.
Forfeblit wolx hys [Phebus'] lemand gylty levyn 1513 Ib. ii. x. 155, v. ix. 70, vii. Prol. 48, viii. viii. 161, x. iv. 38, vi. 94, xi. xiv. 51, xiii. x. 74.
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"Levin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/levin_n>
