Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
BEDEEN, adv. Also bideen (Dmf. 1790 J. Fisher Poems 147). Now literary. Very often used as an expletive or to eke out a line. [bə′din] Immediately, quickly, soon, early, anon.Sc.(E) 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ i. vi. 10:
Whanevir a man griens for ocht ayont missour, bedeen he becomes wanrestfu'.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 48:
Whan tyr'd an' weary'd they came hame at e'en, They're clappet up into their hole bedeen.Per. 1821 Anon. Will ye go to Sheriffmuir in R. Ford Harp of Perthsh. (1893) 64:
Fragrant gales will come bedeen Frae the water o' Forth, man.Hdg. 1902 J. Lumsden Toorle, etc. 27:
I heard wi' some surprise o' your wife's death, And for that reason I'se tak' leave bedeen.Rnf. 1815 W. Finlayson Simple Sc. Rhymes 79:
Yet aiming to be thought bedeen, Amang their betters.Gsw. 1877 A. G. Murdoch Laird's Lykewake, etc. 23:
But when the sun his golden broo had dippit in the sea, Oor lassie wander'd hame bedeen, an' socht her mither's knee.
