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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LEEN, n. A piece of grassy land in a moor or by a river, a meadow, freq. of a pasture of natural grass (Cai. 1902 E.D.D., Cai. 1960). Gen. in pl.Cai. 1773 Session Papers, State of Process, Sinclair v. Sinclair 12:
Which piece of hay ground the deponent possesses over and above his share of the leens, which are in common amongst the other tenants of Scarmclet.
Cai. 1869 Trans. Highl. Soc. 440:
The improvement to be reported of is the reclamation of these leens or meadows from the flooding of the river of Torran.

[O.N. lœna, a hollow or valley, Icel. lǣna, id., a sheet of water under a hill.]

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