We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BETTS, n.pl. Hired boats.Bnff. 1888 Trans. Banffsh. Field Club 58:
Here the “betts,” that is, the boats supplied by the proprietor as distinguished from the fishermen's own boats, used to winter.

[O.E. bāt with shortened vowel, the shortening being prob. imitated from the combs. batman, bat-horse, etc.]

2767

snd