Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1750-1930
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E'EN, adv. Gen.Sc. form of Eng. even. Also †ein. In Sc. freq. used before the verb in the imper. mood, or with a modal or future tense aux. = just (so), simply, without further ado. This use is now only arch. or dial. in Eng. See P.L.D. §70.1.Sc. 1750 Scots Mag. (March) 113:
And wha was't think ye? Ein auld Allan's jo.Ayr. 1792 Burns She's Fair and Fause i.:
She's broken her vow, she's broken my heart; And I may e'en gae hang.Sc. 1816 Scott O. Mortality v.:
When I heard the awfu' threatenings o' the oppressors, I e'en took my cloak about me and sate down by the way-side, to warn ony of our puir scattered remnant that chanced to come this gate.Sc. 1817 Scott Bonnie Dundee ii. in Doom of Devorgoil (1834) Act II. Sc. ii.:
But the Provost, douce man, said, "Just e'en let him be, The Gude Town is weel quit of that Deil of Dundee."Dwn. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 89:
An' what could e'en poor Oiny dae.Kcb. 1893 S. R. Crockett Stickit Minister 127:
He'll e'en be minister o' Earlswood withoot it, then.Abd. 1930 P. Giles in Abd. Univ. Review (March) 109:
"Ay, ye may pit oot yer tongue, ye naisty smatchet." "Na, nae een naisty smatchet, Jean Gordon. The bairn's jist as gweed an' weel come as ye'r queyn."
