Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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LEDGE, n., v.³ Also deriv. forms ledget, le(d)git, ledgate. [′lɛdʒ(ɪt)]

Sc. usages:

I. n. 1. A projecting rim, a flange, a ramp.Abd. 1729 Third S.C. Misc. II. 150:
To the side of the sparrs nail half a cleft of a dale to make a legit above.

2. The parapet of a bridge. Cf. II. 2. Hence ledgeless.Abd. 1770 Abd. Jnl. N. & Q. V. 105:
By defacing and breaking down the Parapet Walls or Ledgates of Bridges.Dmf. 1823 J. Kennedy Poems 90:
I yet might stand fou trim and trig, Nor scar fouk at my ledgeless brig.

3. The top of the lower sash of a window forming a ledge or shelf (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 103, ne.Sc. 1960, ledgit).Abd. 1922 Swatches o' Hamespun 47:
Fae the ledgit at ilky side Hung ledder pints an' seggs.Bnff.⁶ 1927:
Yer specks is on the ledgit o' the winda.

4. A label projecting from the page of a book for ease of reference.Ayr. 1885 Bookseller (7 Jan.) 82:
Half-bd. With Parchment Ledgits for the Years.

II. v. 1. To jut out, project, overhang (Sc. 1880 Jam.). Vbl.n. ledgin, a projection, ledge.Slk. 1817 Hogg Tales (1837) I. 270:
I could see the ledgins of this amazing cone [an iceberg] spreading away shelve below shelve into the channels of the ocean.

2. To furnish with a parapet. Hence ledgin(g), a parapet. Cf. I. 2.Sc. 1723 W. M'Farlane Geog. Coll. (S.H.S.) I. 390:
Ewes has 3 arches, the other two, each, one large arch all of stone and well ledged and cowm'd.Abd. 1733 A. Watt Hist. Kintore (1865) 94:
Such a proportion of flaughter fail … as shall ledget the said bridge.Abd. 1767 Aberdeen Jnl. (22 June):
The child by a sudden emotion sprung out of her arms, from the ledging, and fell down into the river.Sc. 1820 A. Sutherland St. Kathleen IV. 143:
He … loupit richt ower my head, far beyont the ledgin' o' the brig.