Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ASTEEP, adv. in phr. — lay or set the brain(s) asteep, make a mental effort, think deeply over. Gen.Sc. [ə′stip]Fif. 1895 “G. Setoun” Sunshine and Haar (1898) 167:
I daresay you couldn't guess, though you set your brains asteep.Lnk.5 1914:
If ye canna mind on't, lay yer brains asteep for a bit. — If you do not remember, think for a while and it will come to you.Ayr. 1892 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage and Poems 243:
Our Cadger he sat, he was cauld, he was wat, But asteep he is laying his brain.
