Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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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.

Belde, Beild, v. Also: p.t. beld; p.p. beild, beiled. [ME. beld(e, bielde, OE. beldan (WS. bieldan, byldan), f. bald Bald a. Cf. Belden.]

l. tr. To succour, aid, assist, strengthen; to feed (a fire). c1450-2 Howlat 428.
Bot sen thai the Brus beld, I wryt as I wait c1475 Wall. xi. 43.
This land is purd off fud that suld ws beild 1474 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 29.
That … reparatioun of the said alter [is] nocht beildit nor helpit 1513 Doug. i. xi. 21.
Fyfty damycellis … bair the cure … To graith the chalmeris, and the fyris beld

2. To cover over. (Cf. Ourbeld.) c1450-2 Howlat 892.
Than was he schand of his schape, … Off alkyn colour most cleir beldit abone 1490 Mun. Univ. Glasg. II. 256.
For ane hundreth sclait quhilk the place was beildit with 1513 Doug. xi. ii. 19.
Thyr beddis beldyt, or funeral lytteris, … With greyn burgionys … Thai gan ourheld c1575 Balfour Pract. 618.
The master aucht to see the ship tyit and beiled, quhairthrow the ship and merchandice may not be put to ony danger or skaith

3. To place securely in a state or on something. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 390.
Schir Gawane the gay, … That euer wes beildit in blis Ib. 1146.
Beirdis beildit in blise, brightest of ble c1590 J. Stewart 75/87.
Quhyls hir mouthe abyds bebathd and beild On his tuo lips preportionat perfyt