Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DEBATEABLE LAND, n. comb. The land on the borders of Scotland and England, esp. that between the Esk and the Sark. Hist.Sc. 1776 G. Ridpath Border Hist. 573:
A perpetual source of contention between the English and Scots, which arose from a small tract of ground, commonly called the Debatable Land, situated between the rivers Esk and Sark.Sc. 1820 Scott Abbot ii.:
The Graemes who then inhabited the Debateable Land.
