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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

DICHEN, Dichin, n. A reproof, a drubbing, gen. in pl. in phr. to get one's dichens, to get one's deserts (Gall., Slk. 1825 Jam.2, dichens; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., dichin(s), Rxb.5 1940); also erron. dickens (Slk. 1831 Hogg Tales (1874) 194). [′dɪxən]Slk. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbeck, etc. II. 127:
My master an' she hae this wark to answer for yet; they'll get their dichens for't some day — that's ae comfort!

[The same word as dichting, a drubbing (see Dicht, v., 7) with assimilation of t, cf. O.Sc. diching, 1474, = dichting in its lit. senses, and brichen, s.v. Brichten.]

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