Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Bene, a. and adv. Also: beine, beyn(e. [ME. bene (rare), of obscure origin.]

1. adj. In good condition. a1400 Leg. S. xl. 523.
Sone wes the coble haile & bene As it wes euir, foroutyn wene

2. Of places: Pleasant, agreeable, yielding comfortable shelter or warmth; cosy. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1338.
On sleip I fell amang thir bewis bene Id. Orph. 161.
My bed sall be … In buskis bene 1513 Doug. vi. v. 36.
As … byrdis … Quhom the cald sesson cachis owr the see, Into sum benar realm and warm cuntre Ib. vii. Prol. 89.
The callour ayr … Maid seik warm stovis and beyn fyris hoyt 1533 Bell. Livy II. 149/9.
Somer fowlis, quhilkis fleis (als sone as hervist cummys) to sum bene hous or secrete hollis to be thare habitatioun c1550 Rolland C. Venus ii. 130.
Thair riche array, and thair habillement … So bene, so big, and so auripotent

3. In a comfortable state or condition. a1500 Rauf C. 679.
Blyth byrdis abufe, and bestiall full bene 1603 Philotus xi.
He wantis na jewels claith nor waith, Bot is baith big and beine

4. Liberal, generous. a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xiii. 31.
Love maks the niggard bene

5. adv. Handsomely; liberally; comfortably. a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 601; Ib. 688.
His birny and his basnet, burnist ful bene a1500 Henr. Test. Cress. 417.
Quhair is thy chalmer … With burely bed and bankouris browderit bene? c1475 Wall. vi. 159.
The multitude wyth wappynys burnist beyne Ib. 546.
Wallace knew weill … The kings palȝon, quhar it was buskit beyne a1500 Prestis of Peblis 78.
Syne in ane hal … He harbourit al his burgessis rich and bene 1513 Doug. xiii. ix. 76.
Saturn … full beyn Tawcht thame to grub the wynys