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.
Quotation dates: 1824-1835
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†CHRISTEN, Chrisen, v. Fig. to dilute spirits (gen. with water). Cf. vulgar use of baptize in Eng. with same meaning (now obs., see O.E.D. s.v. baptized adj.), and Kirsen. Ppl.adj. chrisent. [krɪ̢sn, krʌsn]Sc. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet Letter xiii.:
“I am drinking naked spirits, I think. But if the heathen be ower strong we'll christen him with the brewer” (here he added a little small beer to his beverage . . .).Peb. a.1835 J. Affleck Waes o' Whisky (n.d.) 2:
Ilk ane pries the chrisent creature.
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"Christen v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/christen_v>
