Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Dene, n.¹ Also: deyn(e. [ME. dene, OE. dene, nom. denu.] ‘A hollow where the ground slopes on both sides; generally, such an one as has a rivulet running through it; a small valley’ (J).Early examples in place-names are: Lummesdene, Fugeldene (c 1100), Ravedene (c 1150), Botheldene (1159), Ernbrandesdene (c 1190), Ellesdene (1218), Bellingdene (c 1300), etc. 1509 Acts II. 267/1.
The dene of Cokburnpeth contenand fra the braa hede to the burn ende 1511–2 Wemyss Chart. 139.
Fra the … Coldene dene to the grit he gait one the est syd the colpottis 1517 Fife Sheriff Ct. 74.
The wranguis occupacione of ane pece of land callit the dene 1541 Prot. Bk. J. Cristisone 75.
[The landis of Brvmehill, beginning at the place called the] hed of the Cat dene 1584 Melrose R. Rec. III. 317.
The yard … lyand within the mantill wall of the said abbay betuix the mill and mill dene 1590 Reg. Great S. 810/2.
To wyn quarrell and clay in the Deyn as uthiris nichtbouris within the toun of Kennoquhy usis 1617 Soc. Ant. IV. 103.
To six workmen that brocht the stanes frae the Deyne