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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BELYA, BELI, Bella, Belja, Belli, n. (See quots.) [′bɛljə, ′beli]Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928):
Beli, bella, belja, and belli . . . a coalfish 2 or 3 . . . years old.
Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Belya, pollack (Gadus pollachius).

[O.N. belgr, a sack, cogn. with Eng. belly. Cf. Sc. Bagget, a name given to the coalfish from Bag, the paunch.]

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