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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bak-sid(e, Backside, n. Also: bak-syd(e, -syid, bake-syde; backsyd(e, backe-side, -syde. [Late ME. baksyde (Caxton), backesyde, e.m.E. back(e)side; f. Bak a.]

1. On (also at, in) the bakside, on the side facing the back or rear (of), behind. Esp. of lands or buildings.(1) c1475 Wall. vi. 807.
On the bak sid a roch and wattir was Ib. vii. 566.
On the bak sid the toune 1476 Peebles B. Rec. 181.
Nother in forland na in mydland nor yit on the bak syd 1513 Doug. viii. iv. .
Apon the baksyde of this cavern a1578 Pitsc. I. 314/2.
In the baksyde of Halliedaine hill 1615 Highland P. III. 294.
Ane ile on the baksvde of Ireland(2) c1475 Wall. xi. 335.
Quhen thai the hous com ner, On the baksyd Wallace a window fand 1476 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 54.
With four and twenty elln of lenth on the baksyde 1511 Dunferm. B. Rec. 297.
Wytht fre isch & entra at forsid and baksid 1535 Stewart 61070.
Till ane dur than on the baksyde … this tratour did thame gyde 1568 Reg. Privy C. I. 620.
Ane yaird … liand on the bak syde of umquhile George Swan 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 307.
Patrik Schangs hous in the hie gaitt; … James Ȝoung cutlar, on the bak syid thairof 1603 Moysie 95.
A wyndow in the backsyde of the plaice 1635 Ann. Banff II. 170.
Outstraking of ane window in the backsyd of the school 1654 Lamont Diary 100.
At the backe syde of the kirke

2. The back part of a house or tenement; the space or yard at the back of a house or other building. Also attrib. 1476 Ayr Friars Pr. Chart. 54.
Ewyn furtht fra baksyde of his foir hous til his tail dyk Ib. 55.
Out of the hale gronde foirsyde and baksyde 1483 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 48.
Thair sall be na oppin mercat vsit … in na pairt nor baksyde within this burgh 1532 M. Works Acc. II. 59 b.
For leding of sklatis that wes tyrvit of the baksyd of the kingis chalmer, xij s. 1567 Lanark B. Rec. 39.
That thei gang of the hie gait to the baksyd 1575 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 92.
The tenement … in Jonet Mershellis bakesyde 1578 Rec. Earld. Orkney 354.
All … my tenementis of land baksyd and forsyid 1592 Calderwood V. 172.
Partlie in ale-houses, partlie at profane games in backe sides 1638 Glasgow B. Rec. I. 388.
[Thai] sall not slay ony flesche in the Hie Streitt, bot in bak sydis 1675 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 291.
Any red … that shall be takine out of the closses or from backsydsattrib. 1576 Edinb. D. Guild Acc. MS. 52.
Four lang stanis to be ane gutter to the bak seid wall of Mr James Lowsones house

3. The hinder part or rear side (of a thing). 1509 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 46.
Ane mes bwik … one the baksyd wettin [sic] that the crucifix is one [etc.] 1563 Crim. Trials I. i. 437.
[He] woundit the said Jhone Wod in the bak syid of his heid 1588 Reg. Privy C. IV. 326.
To ad … twa dobbis upoun the bak syde of the lyoun 1635 Haddington Corr. 303.
Ane blew courtene for the bakesyde of ane bed