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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PUBLISH, v., tr. To cause to swell, to fill out, make fat. Ppl.adj. publisht, -ed, plump, in good case, well filled-out.Ags. 1825 Jam.:
A weel-publisht bairn, a child that is in full habit, or well filled up.Rxb. 1843 T. Aird Old Bachelor 77:
The rain which has watered his thirsty pasture-lands, and will help to “publish” his barley, and swell his potatoes.

[Appar. a deriv. of n.Eng. dial. pubble, plump, of obscure orig., formally assimilated to Eng. publish.]

21450

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