Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1729-1744, 1801-1840, 1901
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CHESS, Shess, n.2 Also chesse. See also Chass-window.[tʃɛs, ʃɛs]
1. A window-sash, window-frame (Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., shess; Ags.17, Slg.3, Lnk.3 1939; ne.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Freq. in combs. chess-window, a framed or sash-window; under-chess, a lower sash.Sc. 1840 G. Webster Ingliston xxviii.:
The rain that comes in like a river at the chess o' the window.Slg. 1901 R. Buchanan Poems, Songs, etc. 144:
Its hinner en' gaed clean through a window, breaking chess and peens wi' a smash.Edb. 1801 Edb. Weekly Jnl. (10 June) 177:
Throwing stones with such violence, as to destroy, not only the chases, but also an uncommonly valuable Mirror.Gsw. 1736 J. McUre Hist. Gsw. 251:
The Hall is illuminated with fourteen Chess Windows.Ayr. 1729 Ayr Presb. Register MS. (12 Nov.):
Three chesse Lozenges eighteen pence.Dmf. 1744 Penpont Presb. Minutes MS. IV. 316:
Six under Chesses for the windows.
2. “Either of the halves of a window opening up and down” (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).
Comb. half-chess, “said of such a window wide open” (Ib.).
3. “The iron frame which surrounds types, after they are set for the press” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2). Sc. form of Eng. chase.
[Account Bk. Sir J. Foulis (1702) 312 has chess windowe, a framed window (D.O.S.T.). O.Fr. chasse, a frame (Godefroy), Mod.Fr. châsse, Lat. capsa, chest, box. For form shess, see P.L.D. §165.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Chess n.2". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/chess_n2>
