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, v. To save part of one's allowance of bread to pay a debt; formerly used by boys attending George Heriot's Hospital, Edinburgh (Edb. 1916 T.S.D.C. II.). Obs. since 1886 (Edb.1 1944).Edb. 1845 F. W. Bedford Hist. G. Heriot's Hospital (1859) 346:
Boyle garred me to ess for a week to make up . . . for his loss.
