Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BIND, BINN(D), n. [bɪn(d)] Dimension, size, build, capacity. Lit. and fig.Sc. 1707 Records Conv. Burghs (1880) 429:
As to the salmond barrell, experience has proven that the fish keep much better and more free from gilting in a lesser then a greater bind and ther is great difficulty to procure barrell staves for a greater size. Sc. 1797 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 689:
To tak' my reed, or mint to play a spring, Is baith aboon my bind an' 'yont my art.Sc. 1808 Jam.:
A barrel of a certain bind is one of certain dimensions.Sc. 1824 Scott St Ronan's W. i.:
Their bind was just a Scots pint over-head, and a tappit-hen to the bill, and no man ever saw them the waur o't.Sc. 1896 A. Cheviot Proverbs 191:
“I'm at my bind” — i.e. I've got my full measure of liquor.Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 70:
A man of strong binn is a man strongly built and bound — crop of good binn is a good strong crop.Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 9/1:
Abuin ma binnd (= beyond my power, strength, ability).
