A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Nekbane, n. Also: necbane, nekbayn(e, neke-bane. [North. ME. nek-bane (c 1400), midl. and south. nekbon, etc.: cf. MDu. nacbeen (Du. nekbeen), Da. nakkeben, Sw. nackben. Cf. Nek-Bone.] The neck-bone; also, the neck.1375 Barb. i. 218.
Gud knychtis … Thai hangyt be the nekbane ?1438 Alex. i. 1222.
His necbane in sounder ȝeid Ib. 3029. c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 3182. 1513 Doug. viii. x. 85.
The sukkyn wolf … hir lang rovnd nek bane bowand raith To geif thame sowke Ib. x. vi. 132.
Hys nek bayn [Ruddim. neke bane] and throte war carf in sondir Ib. xii. vi. 120.
Syne with hys fut doun thryst in the ilk sted Hys fair nek bayn Ib. xi. xv. 141. 1535 Stewart 4530.
The heid Is fra the hals and the nek bane brokin
