Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

ESS, n.¹ Sh. form of Ass, ash, ashes, q.v. (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh.¹⁰ 1950). Hence essi(e), adj., covered with ash, used for holding ashes (Ib.), also in combs.: (1) essibakket, box for holding ashes (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.); (2) essimidden, “a dunghill where ashes are deposited” (Ib.); (3) essipattel, a term of contempt applied to a little pig, “which lying near the fire for warmth, and being disturbed, patters among the ashes running across the hearth” (Ib.); see also Assiepattle, n.