Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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'.