Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BEAR, v. To import, signify, purport, mean, imply. Arch. in St.Eng. [be:r]Sc. 1927 D. Murray Old College of Gsw. 94:
Beneath this there was another inscription bearing that the building was erected in 1656.Lnk. 1712 Minutes J.P.'s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 136:
As the saids Justices of the Peace their Act, made thereupon, bears. pr.ppl. bearand.Lnk. 1709 Minutes J.P.'s Lnk. (S.H.S. 1931) 72:
The said complaint and executions of citation given thereupon bearand the said James Gray to have been summoned to compear.

Phrases: (1) Bear afore, appear in vision to.Ork.(D) 1880 W. T. Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 141:
Th'u bears afore me e'en sae plain. [O.N. bera fyrir, come before (one's eyes) (Marw.).]

(2) To bear the gree. see Gree.

(3) †To bear upon, to restrain oneself, to conceal one's feelings.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 27:
He buir upon him, an' never loot her ken, That he was onie ways about her fain.