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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.

BEAMFILL, BEEM(E)FILL, v. Also erron. bonn- (Ags. 1702 R. Finlayson Arbroath Documents 18). Used as in Eng. to mean to fill up spaces in the walls of a house after the beams are placed. In Sc. extended to all kinds of packing, and fig. [′bim′fɪ̢lt, ′bim′fʌlt, + bem-]Sc. 1887 Jam.6:
To Beemfill, Beemefill. To fill up completely, as in packing a box: hence, to back up, bolster, confirm, maintain.
n.Sc. 1898 W.G. in E.D.D.:
He is beamfill't o' pride.

ppl.adj. beamfult, beam-fill't, indulged.n.Sc. 1898 W.G. in E.D.D.; Abd.14 1933:
That's a beam-fill't littlan. He'll wint for naething it he seeks. Abd. 1825 Jam.2 (s.v. Beamfult).

[O.Sc. bemefill, beemfill, bayme-, v., with lit. meaning as above and fig. = strengthen; O.E. bēam, a beam of wood, and fyllan, to fill.]

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