Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
EASWAS, n.pl. Also eesewas, ease-waas, eize wa's, eiz-waaz, -wa's, eisewaas. The top of the walls of a house on which the rafters rest; the inner angle between the level top of a wall and the sloping edge of an unlined roof, often serving as a shelf (Rs. (Avoch) 1911 (per Mry.2), easwas; Cai. 1916 T.S.D.C. II., easwas; Cai. correspondents 1949). [′i:zwɑz, ′eizwɑz]Cai. 1900 E.D.D.:
In the old small country houses which were rarely cumsiled or beam-filled, the eizwa's served for storing away small articles not much in use.Cai. 1907 D. B. Nicolson in County of Cai. 65:
The benlins are placed on the loops of the simmans a foot or so above the “eize wa's” (eaves).Cai. 1992 James Miller A Fine White Stoor 161:
They're for whitewashing the kirk, I heard. Did ye hear that? It's black looking richt enough, ablow the eisewaas.
