Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CALCHEN, n. “A square frame of wood, with ribs across it, in the form of a gridiron, on which the people in the North of Scot. dry their candle-fir, in the chinmey” (Abd. 1808 Jam.; Abd.9 (Logie Coldstone) 1938). [′kɑlxən]
[Cf. Gael. cealaich, fire-place of a kiln (MacBain). The suff. -en may be a reduced form of the Gael. dim. -an.]
