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.
Quotation dates: 1721, 1787-1925
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BELYVE, Balive, Belaive, adv. [bɪ′laɪv]
1. Speedily, quickly, at once, soon.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 69:
Belaive is two Hours and a half. Within a little.Sc. 1854 D. Vedder Poems (1878) 242:
I'll get anither job belyve.Ags. 1844 Montrose Review (7 June) 183/1:
He'll be a braw fellow belyve.Slg. 1841 R.M.S. Harp of Strila 17:
Belyve, auld Robin stappin' out is seen, He doyts about the doors wi' cannie care.Knr. 1925 “H. Haliburton” Horace in Homespun 247:
As saft a breath as bairn could blaw; Belyve it creepit owre the lee, An' up an' sang upon the tree.Ayr. 1787 Burns To A Haggis (Cent. ed.) iv.:
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve Are bent like drums.Dmf. 1808 J. Mayne Siller Gun iv. xi.:
His father gart them flee for fear, And sculk belyve.Rxb. 1871 R. Allan Poems 123:
I crackit like a gun, and tuik my sneish, Until, belyve, I didna mind a croon.
2. In order, next.Abd. 1900 A. Paterson in Bnffsh. Jnl. (15 May) 2:
Twa afore ane, three afore five First twa an' than twa, an four come balive.
