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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Quotation dates: 1792, 1860-1911

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BUSK, n. “A bush” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also found in n.Eng. dial.Lnk. 1906–1911 Rhyming Sc. Proverbs in Rymour Club Misc. I. 131:
Lads' love's a busk o' broom, Hot a while and sune dune.

Hence buskie, busky, bushy, woody. Also fig. of hair. Cf. Bussy.Sc. 1860 J. P. Robson Song of Solomon v. 11 (E.D.D.):
His locks are busky an' black as a corbie.
Ayr. 1792 Burns In Simmer (Cent. ed.) iii.:
For Johnie o' the Buskie-Glen I dinna care a single flie.

[O.Sc. busk, a bush, a thicket, c.1220 (D.O.S.T.); Mid.Eng. busk, Mod.Eng. bosk and bosky, Dan. busk, Sw. buske, O.N. busk-r. Cf. Buss, n.1]

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