Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BEHEEF, BEHEAVE, n. nn. and mn.Sc. for St.Eng. and Sc. behoof. [bɪ′hif, -′hi:v]Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xliv.:
Fat for sudna lawbourin' the rigs in an honest wye for beheef o' the countra at lairge gi'e a man a richt to sit still an' keep the grip.Abd.(D) 1922 “The Beylie” in Mair Swatches o' Hamespun 85:
Een o' the finest o' men hid sacrifice't 'imsel' in beheef o' ithers.

Phr. to put a thing to beheave, to put a thing to the best advantage.Cai.⁴ c.1920:
A thrifty wife puts everything “to beheave.”Cai. 1986:
A thrify woman puts everything to beheave.