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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.
BEELD, n. An image.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 184:
Pu'pits and beelds are hackit sma'.
[O.Sc. beild (beld(e), beyld, beil) means protection, shelter, succour, hence protector, place of refuge. The extension of meaning to image is not elsewhere recorded and may have been suggested to Tennant by the Ger. bild, image, effigy, etc., with which, however, the O.Sc. beild has no connection.]
