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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.

BETAKEN, v. Sc. for betoken. [bə′tɑ:kn, bə′tɑ:kŋ]Ags. 1814 J. Ross Poems and Songs 99:
Sic bletherin betakens a bride unco bonny.Edb. 1773 R. Fergusson Sc. Poems (1925) 62:
The eastern lift betakens day, Changing her rokelay black for mantle grey.

[O.Sc. betaken, betaiken, to signify, mean, denote; early Mid.Eng. betācnien, O.E. *betācnian, be + tācnian, to put a mark on, to mean; O.E. tācn, a mark. See Taken and Tyaken.]

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