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.
BEY, n.2 This is the same as St.Eng. bay (see N.E.D., bay, sb.3 2), “the space lying under one gable, or included between two party-walls.” A twa bey would therefore mean an addition of two compartments to the gable end of a house. For collective bay, cf. in N.E.D. “Ten bay of Buildings,” 1759. [bəi]Lnk. 1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 12:
She's to big a twa bey to her ain gavel to be a dwelling house to me an my wife.
