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.
BEN, n.7 Also bain. Sc. form of St.Eng. bend (see N.E.D. s.v. bend, sb.2 4). Strong ox-leather used for the soles of boots, made tough by hammering. Gen. attrib.Sh. 1933 J. Nicolson Hentilagets 19:
Ae moarnin 1 wis geen below da staand Ta pit in steep a peerie koom o bain.Inv. 1722 Letter Bk. Bailie J. Steuart (ed. Mackay 1915) 171:
You are likeways to buy for my accot. a hyde of ben leather, and half a doz. drest calfes skins.Edb. 1895 J. Tweeddale Moff 188:
There's a fire in the parlour would birsel a juke as cheugh as ben-leather.Dmf. 1834 H. Johnston Poems 19:
Aye routh o' leather may ye ha'e Morocco, calf, and ben'.
