A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1438, 1499-1500
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Spen, Spend, v. [ME and e.m.E. spen(n (14th c.), spend (c1430), ON spenna, MDu. and MLG spennen. Cf. Span v.1 and v.2] tr. a. To fasten, to clasp. b. To grasp (a spear). —a. a1500 Lancelot of the Laik 2807.
The maden sone one to his chalmer gos, And sacretly his armour one him spent —b. ?1438 Alex. i 1083.
Better na thow may spend na speir, Na into battell wapin beir!
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"Spen v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 13 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/spen>
