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.
Quotation dates: 1845
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†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.
