Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BASSON, n. O.Sc. spelling for a basin.
1. Basin in ordinary sense; specif. a bowl or plate for taking a church collection.Mry. 1732 Records Elgin (S.C.) II. 333:
The great loss the poor sustains by the currency of bad money and that there is a great quantity of such coins thrown into the bassons upon Sabbath.Ags. 1738 Valuation (per Fif.1):
Two Bassons of pewter.
2. A harbour basin.Bnff. 1734 in W. Cramond Annals of Banff (1893) II. 222:
Debursed on the new harbour of Guthrie . . . (inclusive of £60 for iron “beeckens”). . . . For widneing the basson, down to the nearest goat or hollow place.
