Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
BEND, BENN, v.2, n.2
1. v. To spring. This extension of the meaning of bend is due to the action of bending preliminary to springing.Sc. 1904 Battle of Philiphaugh in Ballads (ed. Child) 202 i.:
The Scots outoer the Græmes they ran, Sae merrily they bended.
ppl.adj. bendit, ready to spring.Slk. a.1835 Hogg Tales, etc. (1837) I. i.:
What are ye sittin glowrin like a bendit wulcat there for?
2. n. A bound, a spring.Abd.(D) 1788 J. Skinner Christmass Bawing in Caled. Mag. xxiii.:
But a lang trypal there was snap, Came on him wi' a benn. [In Skinner Amusements, etc. 1809, x. benn is spelt bend.]
3. Phrases: (1) “To be upo bend, to be ready for action” (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); (2) to get a bend on, to make a bend, to make a move, implying haste.(1) Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Sh.4 1934:
Bend, preparedness, . . . to be on the point of undertaking something or going somewhere; what is du upo b[end] aboot? where are you going, what are you about?(2) Dmb. 1931 A. J. Cronin Hatter's Castle 66:
Things have been goin' rather ill with me lately . . . I must get a bend on to let my property.Ib. 571:
We'll make a bend the minute we've finished our tea. Not a minute will we waste!
