Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

BENSE, Bence, n., v. and adv. [bɛns]

1. n. A violent movement, a spring.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 10:
He fell aff o's chair wee a great bense.Ib.:
He geed into the hoose wee a bense, an' fleggit the littlin.

fig. Vigour, energy.Ib.:
He hiz a bense wee's wark.

2. v.

(1) intr. To walk or move with great energy or violence; to bounce (Bnff.⁹ c.1927; w.Sc. 1910 Metcalfe).Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 10:
He came bensin' ben the fleer, his een stan'in' in's hehd like twa coals.Rxb. 1847 J. Halliday Rustic Bard 200:
Wi' pow now rid o' carking cares, He for the tavern benses, O'erjoyed this night.

(2) tr. With adv. down, meaning to shake or knock down.Abd. c.1803 D. Anderson Sawney and John Bull 23:
We like strong bulls down did it bence. vbl.n. bensan. The act of showing great vigour, in walking or working.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 10:
He hauds an aul' bensan but an' ben the trance.

ppl.adj. bensin'. Bouncing, vigorous.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 11:
The aul' mannie hiz gotten a big bensin' bessie o' a wife: she'll haud 'im in order. [Also Bnff.², Bnff.⁴, Bnff.⁷]

3. adv. Violently.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D.Bnff. 11:
He came bense against the wa'.