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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.

BESAUNT, v. To canonize; to repute as holy. [bɪ′sɑnt]Ags. 1867 G. W. Donald Poems, Ballads, and Songs 175:
There's scores hae fry'd their fish as broun, An' gat their names besauntit.

[Be, pref., 5 + Saunt, q.v. Not given in D.O.S.T. Latest date of quot. in N.E.D. for besaint, to canonize, is 1680 but it is not recorded in the Concise Eng. Dict. The ppl.adj. besainted is given in N.E.D. with quot. 1865 but in the sense of “peopled with or haunted by saints.”]

2690

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