Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†MENZ, n.pl. Skill or ability in getting on with any kind of work (Sh. 1880 Jam.). Jak. gives møn, strength, energy, which may be the same word. The form moyens is also found, see Moyen, n., 3.
[Orig. uncertain. Edm. Gl. (1866) defines as an adj. Phs. O.N. megn, strength, power, or the cog. Eng. †main, O.E. mægen, id.]
