Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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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.
Quotation dates: 1817-1824, 1911-1917
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BENTY, n. and adj.
†1. n. A weakling, an awkward person.Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas 49:
An' they're nae benties at destroying men.Abd.14 1911:
Benty, an awkward fellow. Quite obs.
2. adj. Delicate, dainty.Slk. 1817 Hogg Tales (1874) 156:
Iet them lick at that!- Let the benty-necks crack now!Slk. 1917 Southern Reporter (24 May) 3/1:
What we want is a hardy head, a good skin, a bit brown on the legs, a benty neck — and a five and twenty shilling lamb.
Comb.: benty bows, “? bandy-legs” (S.D.D.). [See Bowdle-leggit.]
[From bent, not straight; hence weak, delicate, dainty.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Benty n., adj.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 1 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/benty>
