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.
BEAM, BEEM, BEEN, BEENE, v.2 (See quots.) [beim, Cai. + bim; bim, Avoch, e.Rs., Abd.; bin, Mry., Bnff.; bɛɪn Sh. (Angus Gl.).]Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Caithness 64:
Beem. To steep barrels or tubs to make them tight.Mry. 1813 W. Leslie Gen. View Agric. of Nai. and Mry. 449:
Beene . . . to swell by steeping any vessel of the cooper, when the staves have shrunk so as to gape a little from disuse.Mry. 1909 Colville 149:
Deed, e'll hae to pit that tub to been afore ee get muckle eess o't.Bnff. 1898 W.G. in E.D.D.:
The queed [tub]'s beginnin t' gizzen; tack it an pit it in o' the burn t' beene't.Abd. 1898 P.G. in E.D.D.:
Beam. To make the bottom and sides of a wooden washing-tub, which has become shrunk and leaky (called gizzen or gizzened) through being left dry, to swell and become watertight.