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.
†OWERSTENT, n., v. Also overstent.
I. n. The excess number of animals, that which is over the stent or quota. Cf. Owersoum.Rxb. 1700 Stitchill Court Book (S.H.S.) 146:
Such as have more sheip upon the ground than falls to their share . . . the Overstent shall be forfeited.
II. v. As ppl.adj. owerstent(ed), of a charge: assessed at too much, excessive, exorbitant. See Stent.Edb. 1794 G. Robertson Har'st Rig (1801) 18:
They tell, as how the rent O' sic a room was overstent.Dmf. 1863 R. Quinn Heather Lintie 138:
Whane'er yer charges are owrestented.
